Integrin α10β1-Selected Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mitigate the Progression of Osteoarthritis in an Equine Talar Impact Model.

Background: Early intervention with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after articular trauma has the potential to limit progression of focal lesions and prevent ongoing cartilage degeneration by modulating the joint environment and/or contributing to repair. Integrin α10β1 is the main collagen type II binding receptor on chondrocytes, and MSCs that are selected for high expression of the α10 subunit have improved chondrogenic potential. The ability of α10β1-selected (integrin α10) MSCs to protect cartilage after injury has not been investigated.

Purpose: To investigate integrin α10 MSCs to prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis in an equine model of impact-induced talar injury.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Focal cartilage injuries were created on the tali of horses (2-5 years, n = 8) by using an impacting device equipped to measure impact stress. Joints were treated with 20 × 10 allogenic adipose-derived α10 MSCs or saline vehicle (control) 4 days after injury. Synovial fluid was collected serially and analyzed for protein content, cell counts, markers of inflammation (prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor α) and collagen homeostasis (procollagen II C-propeptide, collagen type II cleavage product), and glycosaminoglycan content. Second-look arthroscopy was performed at 6 weeks, and horses were euthanized at 6 months. Joints were imaged with radiographs and quantitative 3-T magnetic resonance imaging. Postmortem examinations were performed, and India ink was applied to the talar articular surface to identify areas of cartilage fibrillation. Synovial membrane and osteochondral histology was performed, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess type I and II collagen and lubricin. A mixed effect model with Tukey post hoc and linear contrasts or paired tests were used, as appropriate.

Results: Integrin α10 MSC-treated joints had less subchondral bone sclerosis on radiographs ( = .04) and histology ( = .006) and less cartilage fibrillation ( = .04) as compared with control joints. On gross pathology, less India ink adhered to impact sites in treated joints than in controls, which may be explained by the finding of more prominent lubricin immunostaining in treated joints. Prostaglandin E2 concentration in synovial fluid and mononuclear cell synovial infiltrate were increased in treated joints, suggesting possible immunomodulation by integrin α10 MSCs.

Conclusion: Intra-articular administration of integrin α10 MSCs is safe, and evidence suggests that the cells mitigate the effects of joint trauma.

Clinical Relevance: This preclinical study indicates that intra-articular therapy with integrin α10 MSCs after joint trauma may be protective against posttraumatic osteoarthritis.