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Efficacy equivalence but hidden hurdles: Can serum-free human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells translate to clinically superior osteoarthritis therapy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: , which investigated the therapeutic efficacy of serum-free cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (N-hUCMSCs) in a mouse model of knee osteoarthritis. The results showed that N-hUCMSCs alleviated osteoarthritis-related cartilage damage and inflammation comparably to both serum-cultured hUCMSCs and hyaluronic acid. While these findings broaden the potential clinical utility of N-hUCMSCs by circumventing certain drawbacks of serum-based cultures, the equivalence in efficacy raises important questions. First, how do N-hUCMSCs differ phenotypically from serum-cultured hUCMSCs, particularly in terms of proliferation rate, replicative capacity, and senescence profile? Second, what advantages might N-hUCMSCs offer over hyaluronic acid - a well-established therapy - beyond avoiding xenogeneic components and ethical concerns? Future research should focus on long-term phenotypic stability, sustained functional benefits, safety profiles, and mechanistic insights to ascertain whether N-hUCMSCs can surpass current standards of care.

Source: World Journal of Stem Cells

DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i3.104566

Authors: Fang Lin, Ke-Xin Ma, Yue Ding, Xiao-Ting Liang

Institutions: Tongji University, Shanghai East Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Mesenchymal stem cell research

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4408629147

FWCI: 0.531

Cites: 6

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10