Abstract
Cartilage tissue is characterized by its limited regenerative potential because of the poor cellularity and perfusion by blood vessels. Replenishing cellular constituents can be one of the promising strategies for regeneration of defective cartilage. Synovial mesenchymal stem cells are superior as a cell source for cartilage regeneration to those from other tissues due to its higher colony formation rate, proliferative potential with autologous serum, and in vitro／vivo chondrogenic potentials. Approximately 60% of synovial mesenchymal stem cells placed on cartilage defects attached to the defect within 10 minute, and the addition of magnesium further enhanced the ratio of attached cells and resulted in better regeneration. Based on the accumulated evidences from basic researches, we have started clinical study for cartilage defect by transplantation of synovial stem cells arthroscopically. No problematic adverse events have been confirmed so far, and both regeneration of cartilage defect and improvement of the symptom have been recognized in most patients.
