Xenogenic Implantation of Equine Synovial Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Leads to Articular Cartilage Regeneration

Figure 1

Surgical procedure showing the creation of the osteochondral defect. (a) Both knee joints were opened using an anteromedial approach. (b), (c) The patellae and tendon were laterally dislocated to expose the articular cartilage. (d) 2 mm diameter full-thickness articular cartilage defects were created in trochlear grooves of the distal femur by carefully drilling in a vertical direction using a power microdrill. (e) The BMMSCs or SFMSCs (3.0 × 10⁶ cells) and agarose scaffolds were implanted into the defects in the experimental (left, treated) knee. The scaffold only (agarose) was implanted in the control right knee. (f) The arthrotomy was closed with interrupted 4–0 nylon sutures, and the skin was closed with continuous 4–0 nylon sutures.

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