About musculoskeletal injuries & degeneration
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the body’s bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and supporting structures.
They can arise from:
- Injuries: Damage to cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, or muscles caused by trauma or overuse.
- Chronic conditions: Ongoing pain, inflammation, and loss of function.
- Degeneration: Age-related or wear-and-tear changes in cartilage, bone, and connective tissues.
While exercise and lifestyle measures are important for prevention and management, pain and limited mobility often make them difficult to maintain — reducing overall health and quality of life.¹
The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells are being studied for their unique ability to:
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Reduce chronic low-grade inflammation2
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Support repair of injured or degenerated tissue3-4
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Rescuing injured cells and promoting cells survival3-4
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Inducing new blood vessels3-4
Rather than simply replacing damaged tissue, mesenchymal stem cells interact with the body’s repair systems — releasing bioactive molecules and signaling immune cells to shift from damaging inflammation toward healing.
What have studies found so far?
The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders has gained significant clinical attention. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that mesenchymal stem cells may be effective in treating conditions like osteoarthritis, cartilage defects, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease and tendon disorders.5-10
A review article published in 2023 evaluated 15 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and 11 nonrandomized clinical trials, with a sample size of 610 patients, using mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The authors reported positive effects in mitigating pain and symptoms, improved quality of life, and evidence of structural improvements or cartilage preservation. No serious adverse events were reported.5
How is Cellcolabs Clinical studying mesenchymal stem cells?
At Cellcolabs Clinical, one of our focus areas is musculoskeletal health. Our clinical trials are designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and potential effects of both local and systemic administration of allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells for musculoskeletal injuries and degeneration.
Efficacy & safety profile of mesenchymal stem cells
The efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells therapy in patients with tendon disorders was assessed in 2021 by Cho et al. in a systematic review and meta-analysis of four prospective clinical studies. The study showed a significant overall improvement in pain, function, and radiological and arthroscopic parameters in patients with tendon disorders.10
Frequently asked questions
Are mesenchymal stem cells an approved treatment for musculoskeletal conditions?
No. Mesenchymal stem cells are still in the research phase. Current clinical trials are investigating their potential to reduce pain, inflammation, and improve mobility.
How are mesenchymal stem cells given in musculoskeletal research?
Mesenchymal stem cells may be administered intravenously (systemic) or injected directly into the affected joint, tendon, or muscle (local), depending on the condition being studied.
Do mesenchymal stem cells replace damaged tissue?
Not directly. Mesenchymal stem cells work by creating a healing environment — reducing inflammation, protecting existing cells, and signaling repair processes that may help tissues recover.
What conditions are being studied?
Clinical research is currently exploring mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritis, cartilage injuries, tendon disorders, degenerative disc disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
1. Vigorita, V.J., 2008. Orthopaedic pathology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Krampera M, Le Blanc K. Mesenchymal stromal cells: Putative microenvironmental modulators become cell therapy. Cell Stem Cell. 2021 Oct 7;28(10):1708-1725. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.09.006. PMID: 34624232.
3. Caplan AI, Correa D. The MSC: an injury drugstore. Cell Stem Cell. 2011 Jul 8;9(1):11-5. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2011.06.008. PMID: 21726829; PMCID: PMC3144500.
4. Murphy MB, Moncivais K, Caplan AI. Mesenchymal stem cells: environmentally responsive therapeutics for regenerative medicine. Exp Mol Med. 2013 Nov 15;45(11):e54. doi: 10.1038/emm.2013.94. PMID: 24232253; PMCID: PMC3849579.
5. Copp G, Robb KP, Viswanathan S. Culture-expanded mesenchymal stromal cell therapy: does it work in knee osteoarthritis? A pathway to clinical success. Cell Mol Immunol. 2023 Jun;20(6):626-650. doi: 10.1038/s41423-023-01020-1. Epub 2023 Apr 25. PMID: 37095295; PMCID: PMC10229578.
6. Kangari P, Talaei-Khozani T, Razeghian-Jahromi I, Razmkhah M. Mesenchymal stem cells: amazing remedies for bone and cartilage defects. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2020 Nov 23;11(1):492. doi: 10.1186/s13287-020-02001-1. PMID: 33225992; PMCID: PMC7681994.
7. Ha C-W, Park Y-B, Kim SH, Lee H-J. Intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review of clinical outcomes and evidence of cartilage repair. Arthroscopy. 2019;35(1):277-288.e2.
8. Sarsenova M, Issabekova A, Abisheva S, Rutskaya-Moroshan K, Ogay V, Saparov A. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Oct 27;22(21):11592. doi: 10.3390/ijms222111592. PMID: 34769021; PMCID: PMC8584240.
9. Xie, B., Chen, S., Xu, Y., Han, W., Hu, R., Chen, M., He, R. and Ding, S., 2021. Clinical efficacy and safety of human mesenchymal stem cell therapy for degenerative disc disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Stem Cells International, 2021.
10.Cho, W.S., Chung, S.G., Kim, W., Jo, C.H., Lee, S.U. and Lee, S.Y., 2021. Mesenchymal stem cells use in the treatment of tendon disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective clinical studies. Annals of rehabilitation medicine, 45(4), p.274.