Augmented Microfracture for Improved Cartilage Repair (Version 1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A proof-of-concept study to examine the safety and efficacy of a novel joint stem cell brushing method for endogenous mesenchymal stem cells mobilisation during knee joint microfracture for cartilage repair.
IRAS ID
180298
Contact name
Dennis McGonagle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The pain and disability associated with osteoarthritis (OA) is to a significant extent related to wear and tear of the shock absorbing cartilage that lines the ends of long bones. Cartilage has no blood or nerve supply and so spontaneous cartilage repair declines with age which is thought to be a major contributory factor in OA.
There are a limited number of surgical methods that may promote cartilage healing. One such method known as microfracture, works by stimulating bleeding from the bone marrow. This bleeding results in the formation of new tissue but not of the same quality of the surrounding cartilage. Bone marrow contains specialised cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which have the ability to form new cartilage and bone. However, the number of MSCs within bone marrow is low and varies between people. This could be one reason for the poor quality of the new tissue. We and others have discovered MSCs in the joint fluid, joint lining (synovium) and joint fat. Our research shows that these cells in the fluid may also contribute to repair of injured cartilage.
Working with orthopaedic surgeons we have developed a new medical device to be used alongside microfracture to reliably increase the number of MSCs in the joint, thereby increasing the potential for healing the joint compared to microfracture alone. It is thought that these MSCs will combine with those released from the bone marrow and promote more effective repair and more robust new tissue. To test this, we would like to use our device in conjunction with microfracture and monitor the patient’s progress over the following year. This device is designed to complement existing surgical procedures and will only add minutes on to the time of the operation, which will not only benefit the patient but also may benefit health service providers by the emergence of a low cost cheap stem cell therapy alternative.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0512
Date of REC Opinion
18 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion