Free glutaraldehyde gelatin microsphere loaded mesenchymal stem cells alleviate osteoarthritis by promoting Ext1 expression.

Rationale: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disorder with limited treatment efficacy, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This study explores one-pot-synthesized gelatin microspheres devoid of glutaraldehyde as a novel biomaterial for OA management. Focusing on the Ext1 gene, critical for cartilage development and downregulated in OA, we investigated its restoration and immune regulation using gelatin microspheres cultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Methods

OA patients undergoing knee replacement surgery have their lateral compartment (remote zone) and medial compartment (lesion zone) cartilage collected for transcriptomic testing. The differential gene Ext1 is identified, and the expression of immune regulatory genes is examined. MSCs were cultured with gelatin microspheres to evaluate their compatibility and ability to promote cell attachment. The effects of the gelatin microspheres on Ext1 gene overexpression, immune regulation, and OA symptom mitigation were investigated through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

OA patients exhibit decreased expression of the Ext1 gene in the medial compartment (lesion zone) cartilage area, accompanied by abnormal expression of immune regulatory genes. The study demonstrated that the gelatin microspheres exhibited excellent compatibility with MSCs and facilitated their attachment. Culturing MSCs with the microspheres led to enhanced overexpression of the Ext1 gene, which is crucial for cartilage growth and development. Additionally, the microspheres regulated immune responses, contributing to a reduction in OA symptoms.

Conclusion

This study introduces an innovative therapeutic strategy for osteoarthritis using gelatin microspheres cultured with MSCs. By promoting Ext1 gene overexpression and regulating immune responses, these microspheres effectively mitigate OA symptoms. The findings highlight the potential of this biomaterial as a promising treatment option for OA.