Terapie cellulari nel trattamento dell'osteoartrosi

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease commonly affecting different species, including humans and dogs. It is usually associated with pain and decreased range of motion, reflecting on quality of life in affected patients. Several therapeutic strategies have been historically developed and used for the treatment of osteoarthritis with anti-inflammatory drugs representing a mainstay for treatment; however, their common side effects indicate the necessity for alternative options. Cell-based therapies involving the use of mesenchymal stromal cells, their bioactive factors and those derived from other cell types, such as platelets, have recently been proposed as a valid novel treatment for osteoarthritis due to their reparative and regenerative properties. This work describes cell-based therapies, especially those relying on the use of adipose tissue as an easily available and reliable source of mesenchymal stromal cells, on their mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy in the treatment of canine osteoarthritis, and illustrates a brief overview of an adipose tissue-derived stromal cells harvesting device.