Stem Cell Blog
Употребата на матичните клетки од папочна врвца рапидно се зголемува. Пред 10 години крвта од папочна врвца можеше да лекува околу 40 состојби, но денес таа бројка е над 80. Со нетрпение очекуваме нови терапии за болести и нарушувања како што се дијабет, аутизам и мозочен удар, можете да бидете во тек со најновите случувања во регенеративната медицина на нашиот блог за матични клетки.
As the world population ages, osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative, “wear-and-tear” form of arthritis which most often occurs during middle age and onwards,[1] becomes more common and therefore more burdensome. Knee osteoarthritis, in particular, is a major cause of work loss and disability.[2] Because of this, researchers have been seeking more effective treatments for the condition through studies and clinical trials. One such recent trial focused on injections of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from the placenta.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
In a healthy knee, smooth articular cartilage cushions the bone ends, allowing easy movement, aided by shock-absorbing wedges of cartilage called the menisci.[3] Knee osteoarthritis involves the progressive breakdown of this cartilage, reducing the protective space and potentially leading to bone-on-bone contact. Consequently, the affected joint becomes painful and stiff. Bony growths may also develop, deforming the bones and joint and potentially further limiting range of motion.[4] Quality of life for sufferers is severely reduced as a result,[5] particularly as knee osteoarthritis often involves both knees.[6]
The knee is one of the most common joints to be affected by osteoarthritis,[7] which itself is the most common type of arthritis in the UK[4] and worldwide.[8] Osteoarthritis is a long-term, chronic condition, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide[2]. It is currently considered incurable,[4] mainly due to the inability of available treatments to reverse damage to the joint.[9]
Knee osteoarthritis treatment options
Current treatment strategies for knee osteoarthritis focus mainly on managing symptoms and improving function.[10] These commonly include lifestyle modifications like regular low-impact exercise and weight management, as well as the use of supportive devices such as braces and canes, to reduce the strain on the knee. Pain relief medication is also common, as is physical therapy.
In cases where conservative treatment does not work sufficiently, doctors then look at surgical interventions. These could include injections such as corticosteroids, for pain relief, or hyaluronic acid, to provide some cushioning for the joint.[9] In severe cases, doctors may consider joint reshaping or joint replacement surgery.[9][10]
Researchers are constantly exploring new treatments for osteoarthritis that might address the underlying joint changes more directly. Of particular interest is regenerative medicine, including the use of MSCs. These powerful stem cells can differentiate into specialised cell types, including bone (osteoblasts) and cartilage (chondrocytes). Moreover, they have self-renewal capabilities and can provide an immune-suppressive, anti-inflammatory effect.[11]
There are several sources of MSCs, with those derived from bone marrow and fat having been investigated more so than those derived from perinatal (birth-related) tissues, such as the placenta and umbilical cord. This gap in the research is what this recent study aimed to address.[11]
What did the study find?
The primary goal of the study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of repeated placenta stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis.[11]
The study enrolled a total of 26 patients who had been diagnosed with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis. The participants were divided into two groups – a treatment group and a control. The treatment group received a series of three injections of placenta MSCs and hyaluronic acid directly into the knee joint, spaced four weeks apart. The control group, on the other hand, received only hyaluronic acid, at the same interval.
Researchers then assessed patients at the 6- and 12-month mark following the first injection. Progress was tracked using self-reported questionnaires measuring pain (VAS) and functionality (WOMAC), as well as through an MRI. Blood samples were also analysed for signs of inflammation.
Results showed that the injections of placenta MSCs were safe. Some patients experienced temporary joint pain or swelling after the injections. However, these issues resolved within a week and there were no serious side effects. In terms of effectiveness, the group receiving the stem cell treatment reported improvements in pain and joint function compared to the control group at both the 6- and 12-month mark. MRI analysis found no differences in cartilage thickness between the groups. Blood sample analysis, on the other hand, found reduced signs of inflammation in the treatment group, indicating the treatment had an anti-inflammatory effect.
Future treatment potential
It is important to realize that more extensive research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of placenta stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis. Although very promising, the results come from a small-scale, phase 1 trial. Moreover, the trial was open-label, meaning patients were aware of whether they were receiving the MSC treatment. As a result, reporting of improvements could have been biased in favour of it.
The placenta stem cells used in this study are not the only promising treatment being investigated for osteoarthritis. In a separate study, for instance, cord blood stem cells were shown to help regenerate stronger knee cartilage. In the future, these powerful perinatal stem cells could provide an effective treatment not just for osteoarthritis, but also for many other illnesses and conditions currently considered incurable. To learn more about how you could preserve these stem cells for your baby, fill in the form below to receive your free guide.
References
[4] NHS (2023). Osteoarthritis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/
[6] NHS (2019). Symptoms – Osteoarthritis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms/
[10] NHS (2023). Treatment – Osteoarthritis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/
Osteoarthritis, a chronic degenerative joint disease, affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability.[1][2] Currently available treatments can offer relief from pain and other symptoms. However, they fail to address the root of the disease, as they cannot effectively restore the damaged joint.[3] A novel stem cell therapy based on cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) is now emerging as a promising regenerative approach. The therapy, called Cartistem, has been shown to regenerate strong, elastic cartilage in the joint, rather than the fibrous, weaker cartilage created by an alternative treatment.[4]
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis, and primarily affects middle-aged and older adults. It involves the deterioration of the cartilage that protects the ends of bones within a joint. Because cartilage does not contain blood vessels, it has a limited ability to self-repair[5]; with continued deterioration, it disappears entirely, leading to damage and changes to the bones themselves. Symptoms include joint stiffness and pain, as well as reduced range of motion, and can increase over time. Eventually, they can become severe enough to make day-to-day activities more difficult.[1][6]
The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age, although there are other risk factors which can contribute. These include joint injuries, overuse of the joint in work or sports, obesity and genetics.[1] Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but most frequently appears in the hands, knees, hips and spine.[1] Knee osteoarthritis, in particular, often involves both knees. It can cause pain during walking, especially going uphill or downhill, as well as difficulty straightening the legs and a sensation of the knee “giving way”.[7]
Treatments for knee osteoarthritis
The current standard of care for knee osteoarthritis includes a range of treatments that aim to manage pain, reduce stiffness and improve range of motion. They include both surgical and non-surgical options.
Non-surgical treatment is typically tried at first. This includes pain medication as well as lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and exercise, and assistive devices, such as special footwear, braces, or walking aids.[8][9] If non-surgical treatments have not been effective or the patient’s daily life is seriously affected, doctors then look at surgical treatments. This could be an operation called an osteotomy, where a small section of bone on one side of the joint is removed to realign the joint and shift weight away from damaged parts of the cartilage.[10] Knee replacement, either partial or total, is also an option.[8][9]
Another possibility is a surgical treatment called microfracture or microdrilling. This treatment involves doctors making small holes into the surface of the bone where cartilage is absent. The holes cause blood and bone marrow to coat the surface of the bone, then forming into a clot. Thanks to the stem cells contained in blood and bone marrow, this clot eventually develops into a new layer of cartilage.[11] However, this new cartilage is not as strong as the original cartilage, and can break down more easily,[5][12] meaning any improvement is temporary.
A new therapeutic option
Cartistem is an off-the-shelf stem cell therapy developed in South Korea, where it has been approved for knee osteoarthritis treatment since 2012.[13] It consists of a combination of allogeneic UCB-MSCs and hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Applied to the area of damaged cartilage during surgery, the stem cells stimulate cartilage regeneration.[14]
Although Cartistem can be considered comparable to microdrilling in terms of the underlying process, a recent study has shown that this therapy can regenerate cartilage that is stronger and more resilient. The study, the results of which were recently presented at the 2025 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, directly compared the results of Cartistem to those of microdrilling.[4]
According to researchers, Cartistem repaired a greater surface area than microdrilling, producing stronger cartilage which contained more collagen and had improved stiffness and elasticity. In contrast, microdrilling produced weaker, more fibrous cartilage, and in one out of five patients resulted in no cartilage regeneration at all.[14]
On the strength of the results from this and other studies, the FDA granted approval to proceed directly to a phase 3 clinical trial in the United States. A phase 3 trial is also underway in Japan.[4]
The regenerative power of cord blood stem cells
The strong potential of UCB-MSCs for the treatment of osteoarthritis is well-documented, with several recent studies highlighting their positive effects.[15][16][17]
Cartistem is a proprietary, off-the-shelf therapy, using allogeneic (donor) UCB-MSCs. However, as therapies are still being discovered and developed, it is entirely possible that a patient having access to their own cord blood stem cells could make the difference in terms of effectiveness. This could be the case not only for osteoarthritis, but for also for many other illnesses and diseases.
To discover more about cord blood stem cells, and how you could preserve them for your baby for potential future treatment, fill in the form below to request your free guide to cord blood banking.
References
[7] NHS (2019). Symptoms – Osteoarthritis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms/
[8] NHS (2023). Treatment – Osteoarthritis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/
[13] MEDIPOST. (2022). CARTISTEM®. https://en.medi-post.co.kr/cartistem/
A new study on the effectiveness of treatment for spinal cord injuries indicates that a combination therapy, including epidural electrical stimulation (EES) as well as neural stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells, could offer better results than any one treatment on its own.
What is spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury is a debilitating, disabling neurological condition resulting from damage to the spinal cord, or to the nerves at the end of the spinal canal. This is most frequently caused by traumatic occurrences such as vehicle accidents, falls, sport injuries or violence, but may also be caused by tumours, infections or degenerative conditions.
Spinal cord injury causes partial or complete loss of sensation and function below the level of the injury, commonly resulting in paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), loss of bladder and bowel control, and breathing issues.[1]
What therapies are currently available?
At present, there are no known therapies that would reverse the initial injury and return an injured spinal cord to full function.[2] Current treatments for spinal cord injury focus on limiting what is called the secondary injury cascade, ideally preventing further damage and thus further loss of feeling and motor function.[3] These methods include surgery, medication, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and assistive devices such as braces or wheelchairs.
What is epidural electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury?
In epidural electrical stimulation, an array of electrodes is implanted along the spinal cord through a surgical procedure called a laminectomy. The stimulation provided by the electrical pulses generated by these electrodes could help in the recovery of functionality following spinal cord injury, improving patients’ ability to walk and stand as well as aiding with bladder and bowel control.[3] [4]
How could stem cells help?
By leveraging the regenerative properties of stem cells, it is hoped that a stem cell treatment could repair and regenerate damaged spinal cord tissue.
This could mean protecting what neurons remain intact, repairing the protective myelin sheath on damaged ones, thus restoring their ability to conduct nerve signals, and replacing lost ones. Stem cells also have the ability to modulate the body’s immune response, and could reduce inflammation and mitigate the secondary damage that follows the initial injury.[5]
There are currently several clinical trials studying the application of stem cells for spinal cord injury. Although more research is needed, results so far are promising, including the high-profile case study of a man who has regained the ability to walk.[6]
What has the new study found?
Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University, China, set out to test the effectiveness of a therapy combining both epidural electrical stimulation and stem cell injections, using a mouse model of spinal cord injury.[7]
The study involved four different groups of mice: a group which was treated with EES alone, a group which was treated with a mix of mouse neural stem cells (NSCs) as well as human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), a group which received both treatments and a control group in which the spinal cord injury was left untreated. The mice in all groups were monitored and assessed for a period of two months.
Following the injury, all mice had complete loss of function in their hind limbs; a week post-injury, mice in the treatment groups underwent their respective treatments. At the end of the monitoring period, mice in the control group were still unable to support themselves on their hind limbs. Conversely, some mice in the EES group were able to achieve paw standing; mice in the hUCMSC group also achieved this milestone, in a more frequent and sustained manner. Mice in the combined treatment group not only achieved paw standing, but also showed improved motor coordination. Swimming and gait analysis tests corroborated these findings, with the hUCMSC group doing better than the EES group, both doing better than the control and the combined treatment group doing best of all.
What’s next?
Both EES and stem cell transplants are currently the subject of clinical trials to test their effectiveness in the treatment of spinal cord injury. As the new study shows, it is entirely possible that the best treatment will be a combination of both, but more research is required on each individual treatment before the combination therapy can be tested in humans.
What is undeniable is that the number of studies and clinical trials examining the regenerative power of stem cells and their potential for treating currently incurable diseases and injuries continues to grow.
To find out more about what stem cells could do, and how you could preserve a rich source of them for your baby so that they could gain access to future regenerative treatments, fill in the form below to request your free welcome pack.
References
England flanker Tom Curry is undergoing stem cell therapy as a follow-up to last year’s career-saving surgery.[1]
Suffering from chronic hip pain and reduced range of motion, Curry was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, where the ball of the hip joint is abnormally shaped, causing uneven wear and tear in the joint resulting in cartilage and bone damage.[2][3]
In Curry’s case, there was what was defined as an arthritic change within the hip[4] – labrum and cartilage tears, as well as abnormal bone growth. This was corrected in a six-hour surgery, which reshaped the ball of his hip and repaired the labrum and cartilage via a stem cell transplant.[2]
To fix the tears in Curry’s cartilage, leading hip surgeon Damian Griffin placed a synthetic cartilage graft in the joint and applied stem cells taken from Curry’s bone marrow to it to grow a new surface within the joint.[5] The procedure is performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery), and it has a much shorter recovery time and carries less risk than surgeries involving metal implants, such as a hip resurfacing, where metal surfaces are used to cover the joint,[6] or a complete hip replacement.[7]
Now, Curry is undergoing another stem cell therapy in a bid to make it to the 2027 Rugby World Cup without needing more surgery.[1] There are fewer details available about this therapy, but it has been stated to be a stem cell injection in his hip to help bone growth.
How can stem cells help with injury recovery?
Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, which therapies and procedures like those Curry is undergoing take advantage of. The cells that make up bone and cartilage typically derive from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which, in addition to their ability to turn into a variety of specialised cell types, also have anti-inflammatory properties. This makes them ideal to help repair damaged tissue, particularly cartilage, which has very limited regenerative capacity of its own.
Curry is far from the only elite athlete to turn to stem cells to get back to form. Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo used stem cell therapies to successfully address knee problems[8], while tennis great Rafael Nadal treated both chronic knee issues and a long-standing back complaint[8][9]. Boxing legend Mike Tyson also had stem cell therapy.[8]
To find out more about the regenerative power of stem cells, and how your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells could safeguard their health for life, simply fill in the form below to request a free information pack.
References
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have taken an important step in making lab-grown cartilage a possibility by utilising a new technique involving 3D printing and stem cells. [1]
The process involves a high-resolution 3D printing process to create small, football-shaped spheres that act like porous scaffolds within which differentiated cartilage stem cells can sit.
These spheroid scaffolds can then be molded into various shapes in order to fit like puzzle pieces into seamless tissue structures.
One of the main challenges in attempting to form artificial cartilage using stem cells thus far has been the inability for scientists to leverage much control over the shape of the resulting tissue.
The key advantage of the 3D printed spheroid, cage-like structures, which are around a third of a millimetre in diameter, is that they’ve enabled the researchers in Austria to form combinable, compact building blocks from which to grow cartilage tissue.
Importantly, the team at TU Wien also showed that when combined, neighbouring spheroids actually grow together, with the cells from one spheroid migrating to another, connecting in a closed, continuous structure. [2]
The 3D printed plastic scaffolds provide mechanical stability to the tissue as it continues to grow, up until the point at which they are no longer needed. The spheroids then degrade, leaving behind cartilage tissue shaped in the way desired.
A huge breakthrough for facilitating the regenerative potential promised by stem cells – particularly mesenchymal stem cells, which have the ability to differentiate into a range of specialised cells [3] – this new technique could be used in growing other tissues beyond cartilage into shapes required for repair at the cellular level.
For the time being, however, the researchers’ next aim is to attempt to use their 3D printed spheroids in the formation of tailormade pieces of cartilage tissue that can then be inserted into damaged areas of the body following injury.
If you’re interested in learning more about how saving stem cells for your baby could give them access to future regenerative treatments, download our free welcome pack below.
References
A man who was left paralysed by a severe spinal cord injury has reported that he is now able to stand and walk by himself thanks to a pioneering new stem cell treatment.
Chris Barr, 57, was left unable to feed, dress or walk by himself as a result of a traumatic surfing accident seven years ago, where he fell from the crest of a wave. Doctors told him at the time that the accident could leave him permanently paralysed. [1]
However, this month it’s been reported that Barr has started to not only regain basic mobility, but also the ability to stand and walk again after undergoing an experimental stem cell treatment.
As a participant along with 10 other patients in a clinical trial run by the Mayo Clinic, Barr underwent a procedure being hailed by many as the future of spinal cord injury treatment. [2]
The process involves extracting stem cell rich fat from the stomach through a biopsy, the isolation of the powerful mesenchymal stem cells from this fat tissue, their expansion into 100 million cells and their injection into the lumbar spine in the lower back. [3]
Because mesenchymal stem cells have the unique ability to transform into other cell types, they can be used to repair and replace cells that have become damaged through injury, such as those in Mr Barr’s spinal cord.
The success of the experimental treatment was measured against the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale, which is used as a reference for determining the severity levels of paralysis.
As a result of the trial, 70% of the participants moved up at least one level on the ASIA scale, while 30% reported no improvement or worsening in their conditions and no serious adverse effects were reported by all participants.
It’s estimated that around 50,000 people live with spinal cord injury in the UK, with 2,500 individuals sustaining spinal cord injuries every year. [4] [5]
More research is needed into the effectiveness of this form of treatment – stem cell therapies are still classed as ‘experimental’ in the U.S. – but what’s undeniable is that stem cells have managed to give Chris Barr his life and freedom back.
To find out more about what stem cells can do and how you can save them for your baby, download our free welcome pack below.
References
Therapies involving stem cells hold immense promise for treating a variety of medical conditions, particularly spinal cord injuries.
A future where damaged spinal cords can be regenerated through the medical application of stem cells, restoring mobility and function to those affected, isn’t as far away as it once seemed.
Especially since scientists at MIT and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology have taken a significant step towards this future by developing a tiny device that could enhance the safety and effectiveness of stem cell treatments.
Understanding Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy involves reprogramming the stem cells taken from a patient’s skin or blood cells to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
These iPSCs are then coaxed into becoming progenitor cells, specialised to differentiate into spinal cord cells.
Once these progenitor cells are transplanted back into the patient, they can regenerate part of the injured spinal cord, offering hope for recovery.
However, undifferentiated iPSCs pose a risk of forming tumours, limiting the therapy’s safety and efficacy.
Introducing the Microfluidic Cell Sorter
To address this challenge, researchers have developed what’s known as a microfluidic cell sorter.
Effectively a kind of sieve, this device is capable of removing undifferentiated cells from a batch without harming fully-formed progenitor cells.
It can sort over 3 million cells per minute and can be scaled up by chaining multiple devices together, potentially sorting more than 500 million cells per minute.
Moreover, the plastic chip housing the sorter can be mass-produced at low cost, making widespread implementation feasible.
How It Works
The sorter operates based on the size difference between residual, undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and progenitor cells.
Pluripotent stem cells tend to be larger due to the presence of numerous active genes in their nuclei.
As cells pass through microfluidic channels at high speeds, centrifugal forces focus them at specific points, enabling their separation based on size.
By running the sorter twice at different speeds, researchers effectively remove larger cells that are associated with a higher tumour risk.
Promising Results and Future Directions
While the sorter doesn’t eliminate 100% of undifferentiated cells, it significantly reduces the risk, enhancing the safety of cell therapy treatments.
Further studies are underway to validate these findings in larger-scale experiments and animal models. If successful, purified cells could offer improved efficacy and safety in vivo, paving the way for broader applications of this technique.
The development of this microfluidic cell sorter represents a significant advancement in the field of stem cell therapy.
By enhancing safety and effectiveness, it brings us closer to realising the full potential of regenerative medicine for conditions like spinal cord injuries.
With ongoing research and technological innovations, the future holds promising possibilities for improving healthcare outcomes through cell-based therapies.
To find out more about how you could give your baby access to the future of medicine by banking their stem cell rich umbilical cord and placenta, download your FREE Parents Guide to Cord Blood Banking below.
Sources
Cells4Life Group LLP,
Units 2-3 Oak House, Woodlands Office Park,
Albert Drive, Burgess Hill, RH15 9TN, UK.
Med Bio Genetics
Pero Nakov 110, Skopje, Republic Macedonia
+389 70 221 602
info@cells4life.mk
