Browsing by Author "Mak, Joyce"
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- ItemOpen AccessThe role of synovial progenitor cells in cartilage repair(2014-01-29) Mak, Joyce; Krawetz, RomanIn this study, we have isolated a Sca-1 positive population of mouse synovial cells that contains progenitors capable of chondrogenesis. Intra-articular injection of Sca-1+-GFP+ synovial cells preserved proteoglycan content in the cartilage following cartilage injury but GFP expression could not be detected in the injury sites. Histological analysis suggests that in vivo mechanical stimulation of the injected cells due to joint loading results in the secretion of GAGs by the exogenous cells and thereby protects the joints from further degradation. Furthermore, progressive changes in cell morphology were observed in Sca-1+ synovial cells in response to injury, changing from a flatten, fibroblast-like appearance to a spherical and detached morphology 48 hours after injury. The presented study provides insight as to how endogenous synovial cells might act in response to injury as well as a mechanism by which the cells could protect the joint from degradation.