Current Therapeutic Strategies for Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration

Figure 1

Techniques to regenerate cartilage. Microfracture involves penetrating the osteochondral bone at a depth of 3-4 mm, with each hole separated by 3-4 mm. MSCs migrate from bone marrow to the cartilage defect. ACI involves injecting a patient with their own chondrocytes. MACI involves placing 3D scaffolds, such as those composed of hyaluronic acid or collagen types I and III, into cartilage defects together with autologous chondrocytes. Biocompatible scaffolds have also been developed. There are also scaffold-free techniques that use chondrospheres or self-assembling processes. Smaller chondrospheres are expected to improve therapeutic access via intra-articular injection.