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World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2014; 6(3): 344-354
Published online Jul 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i3.344
Published online Jul 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i3.344
Mesenchymal stem cells as a potent cell source for articular cartilage regeneration
Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad, Elham Malakooty Poor, Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 4644 Tehran, Iran
Author contributions: Baghaban Eslaminejad M and Malakooty Poor E equally contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad, PhD, Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Sciences Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, PO Box 19395, 4644 Tehran, Iran. eslami@royaninstitute.org
Telephone: +98-21-22339928 Fax: +98-21-23562681
Received: October 22, 2013
Revised: December 7, 2013
Accepted: April 25, 2014
Published online: July 26, 2014
Revised: December 7, 2013
Accepted: April 25, 2014
Published online: July 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Articular cartilage possesses only a weak capacity for repair; therefore, regeneration of its defects is considered one of the most important challenges for orthopedic surgeons. On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are specified as appropriate cell candidates for regenerating incurable defects of articular cartilage due to the following characteristics: inherent chondrogenic property, easy availability, cell homing potential and immunomodulatory function. In the past, several attempts were made to exploit MSC capacity to cure articular cartilage defects developed in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or following trauma. All of these topics are discussed in this review.