Investigating the Potential of Multilineage Differentiating Stress-Enduring Cells for Osteochondral Healing

Abstract

Objective Multilineage differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells, a pluripotent stem cell subset of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have shown promise for various tissue repairs due to their stress tolerance and multipotent capabilities. We aimed to investigate the differentiation potential in vitro, the dynamics in vivo, and the reparative contribution of Muse cells to osteochondral lesions. Design Labeled MSCs were cultured and sorted into Muse and non-Muse (MSCs without Muse cells) groups. These cells were then formed into spheroids, and chondrogenic differentiation was assessed in vitro. Twenty-one immunocompromised mice were used as the in vivo models of osteochondral lesions. Live imaging, macroscopic evaluation, and histological and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted at the 4- and 8-week time points. Results Muse cell spheroids were formed, which were larger and stained more intensely with toluidine blue than non-Muse spheroids, indicating better chondrogenic differentiation. Live imaging confirmed luminescence in all 4-week model knees, but only in a few knees at 8 weeks, suggesting cell persistence. Macroscopically and histologically, no significant differences were observed between the Muse and non-Muse groups at 4 and 8 weeks; however, both groups showed better cartilage repair than that of the vehicle group at 8 weeks. No collagen type II generation was observed in the repaired tissues. Conclusion The implantation of the spheroids of Muse and non-Muse cells resulted in better healing of osteochondral lesions than that of the controls, and Muse cells had a higher chondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro than non-Muse cells.