Scaffold-free Chondrogenic Cell Sheets For Cartilage Regeneration

ID U-6819

Category Therapeutics

Subcategory Regenerative Medicine

Researchers
Hallie ThorpKyungsook KimTeruo OkanoDavid Grainger
Brief Summary

A novel method for creating scaffold-free chondrogenic cell sheets from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offers a direct transplantation solution for articular cartilage defects.

Problem Statement

Current cell therapies for cartilage regeneration fail to maintain hyaline-like phenotypes and strong adhesion to the cartilage surface, limiting their effectiveness.

Technology Description

This technology utilizes temperature-responsive cultureware to grow MSCs into confluent layers, which are then induced to differentiate into chondrogenic cells forming cell sheets. These sheets contract naturally to form a 3D structure that mimics hyaline cartilage, maintaining essential chondrogenic and structural characteristics. The method allows for direct transplantation of these cell sheets to the target tissue site, providing a viable alternative to current therapies that struggle with phenotype retention and tissue adherence.

Stage of Development

Pre-Clinical Validation

Benefit

  • Hyaline-like Phenotype Retention: Maintains essential chondrogenic characteristics during in vitro culture.
  • Strong Tissue Adhesion: Exhibits physical adhesion to cartilage surfaces post-transplantation, enhancing healing potential.
  • Scaffold-Free Approach: Eliminates the need for scaffolds or cell injections, simplifying the transplantation process.
  • Direct Transplantation Capability: Allows for the cell sheets to be moved directly from culture to the defect site, preserving cell integrity.

Publications

Thorp, Hallie et al. “Fabrication of hyaline-like cartilage constructs using mesenchymal stem cell sheets.” Scientific reports vol. 10,1 20869. 30 Nov. 2020

Thorp, Hallie et al. “Trends in Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering: 3D Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets as Candidates for Engineered Hyaline-Like Cartilage.” Cells vol. 10,3 643. 13 Mar. 2021.

Thorp, Hallie et al. “Enhancing chondrogenic potential via mesenchymal stem cell sheet multilayering.” Regenerative therapy vol. 18 487-496. 2 Dec. 2021

CSTEC https://www.cstecutah.com/

Contact Info

Huy Tran
(801) 581-7792
huy.tran@utah.edu

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