Improving Cell Therapies to Repair Articular Cartilage Damage

Articular cartilage covers the ends of bones in synovial joints and provides a smooth surface to facilitate pain-free movement of contacting bone surfaces, as well as biomechanical support. Once structural damage occurs to articular cartilage, it is difficult to reverse. Lesions do not completely heal, explaining the progressive nature of osteoarthritis over the lifetime of an individual. Researchers will investigate a population of cells, known as interzone cells, involved in articular cartilage formation during early joint development, and compare their effectiveness to conventional stem cells generated from bone marrow and fat tissue. Finding new ways to enhance articular cartilage repair will relieve pain and help prevent further damage from occurring in horses with arthritis and other forms of degenerative joint disease.