This technology is a method for differentiating progenitor cells into fibrochondrocytes or fibrochondrocyte-like cells using specific chemical factors.
Due to the poor healing potential of the area, the current standard of treatment for an inner avascular meniscus tear is partial or full meniscectomy. However, the procedure consequently makes the knee joint more prone to developing osteoarthritis through contact stress, highlighting a need for alternative therapies such as fibrocartilage tissue regeneration. Fibrocartilage is found in knee meniscus, ligament/tendon insertion to bone, the intervertebral disc (IVD), and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). However, all fibrocartilage tissues are intrinsically recalcitrant to regeneration. As a result, few therapies currently exist to regenerate fibrocartilage tissues and there is no reliable way to differentiate stem cells or progenitor cells into fibrochondrocytes.
This technology provides an effective method to differentiate progenitor cells into fibrochondrocytes or fibrochondrocyte-like cells using specific chemical factors. For this method, culture media and scaffolds are used in combination with progenitor cells to stimulate differentiation. The optimized culture media can contain components such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and TGF beta-3, each encapsulated in microspheres with different release profiles. Fibrochondrocytes or fibrochondrocyte-like cells and scaffolds that promote recruitment and differentiation of progenitor cells can then be administered or implanted for treatment of fibrocartilage-related injuries, such as to the knee meniscus, intervertebral discs, TMJ ligaments, or tendons. As a result, this technology offers an improved therapeutic method for the regeneration of fibrocartilage tissues.
This technology has been validated using human synovium-derived, endogenous progenitor cells.
Patent Pending (US 20170112972)
IR CU15089
Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang