Cartilage Repair Using Composites of Human Umbilical Cord Blood‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel in a Minipig Model

The cartilage regeneration potential of human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB‐MSCs) with a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel composite has shown remarkable results in small animal models. A minipig model was used to confirm the consistent regenerative potential. This evidence of consistent cartilage regeneration using composites of hUCB‐MSCs and HA hydrogel in a large animal model could be a stepping stone to a human clinical trial in the future. The cartilage regeneration potential of human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB‐MSCs) with a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel composite has shown remarkable results in rat and rabbit models. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the consistent regenerative potential in a pig model using three different cell lines. A full‐thickness chondral injury was intentionally created in the trochlear groove of each knee in 6 minipigs. Three weeks later, an osteochondral defect, 5 mm wide by 10 mm deep, was created, followed by an 8‐mm‐wide and 5‐mm‐deep reaming. A mixture (1.5 ml) of hUCB‐MSCs (0.5 × 107 cells per milliliter) and 4% HA hydrogel composite was then transplanted into the defect on the right knee. Each cell line was used in two minipigs. The osteochondral defect created in the same manner on the left knee was untreated to act as the control. At 12 weeks postoperatively, the pigs were sacrificed, and the degree of subsequent cartilage regeneration was evaluated by gross and histological analysis. The transplanted knee resulted in superior and more complete hyaline cartilage regeneration compared with the control knee. The cellular characteristics (e.g., cellular proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation capacity) of the hUCB‐MSCs influenced the degree of cartilage regeneration potential. This evidence of consistent cartilage regeneration using composites of hUCB‐MSCs and HA hydrogel in a large animal model could be a stepping stone to a human clinical trial in the future. Significance To date, several studies have investigated the chondrogenic potential of human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB‐MSCs); however, the preclinical studies are still limited in numbers with various results. In parallel, in the past several years, the cartilage regeneration potential of hUCB‐MSCs with a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel composite have been investigated and remarkable results in rat and rabbit models have been attained. (These experimental resul