New activated cell therapy to treat osteoarthritis

By Sarah Nesbella – Colorado State University –

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 550 million people worldwide, and there still aren’t effective treatments to stop the continued joint inflammation and cartilage destruction caused by OA. The lifetime likelihood of developing symptomatic knee OA is currently 45% and increasing, making it critical to find better options to address OA treatment and progression. Cell therapies using the body’s own stem cells have shown some promise, but overall effectiveness is variable from patient to patient.

With a $499,659 grant from the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), Dr. Lynn Pezzanite will explore a new treatment approach by injecting joints with immune-activated mesenchymal stem cells (cells that develop into connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphatic tissue) to more effectively improve joint function and cartilage healing in stem cells on the cellular and molecular levels through modulation of inflammation. Early research shows promise. This grant will include the expertise of Drs. Steven Dow, Jeremiah Easley, and Drew Koch from the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology and Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University as well as Dr. Kirk McGilvray from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

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