Embargoed for A.M. Release, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2000
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Researchers looking at innovative techniques for the future to repair cartilage damage
NEW YORK--Millions of people in the United State suffer from injuries that damage joint cartilage, which can lead to osteoarthritis, a condition that can dramatically impact the quality of people's life at home, at work and at play. Research today is looking for the key to growing new cartilage to repair and treat this damage in the future.
"Researchers now are hoping to develop innovative repair techniques by engineering new cartilage from cells of donors and by directing stem cells to produce cartilage," said William J. Maloney, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Maloney made his comments today at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' 10th annual Orthopaedics Update.
"By transplanting new cartilage into the defect, degeneration of cartilage as well as rips and tears from trauma might be repaired," Dr. Maloney said. "Osteoarthritis of the joint could be prevented and the burden of the disease reduced with these procedures."
Cartilage is essential for joint function because it provides smooth surfaces over which bones glide. In the knee, it is strong enough to withstand high levels of impact from running and jumping. However, cartilage has very little capacity to repair itself, and defects eventually will result in osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. One out of every three Americans older than 63 years has X-ray evidence of mild, moderate or severe osteoarthritis in their knees.
Researchers are working to develop cartilage by engineering chondrocytes--cells that generate cartilage in the body--to grow cartilage in the laboratory. These engineered-cartilage discs eventually will be available for transplantation into the defect, Dr. Maloney said.
Through gene therapy, stem cells, immature cells in the body, are directed to become chondrocytes to produce cartilage, which then can be transplanted to defects. Dr. Maloney said a vector, or virus, injected with a specific gene is exposed to the stem cells, a process causing the cells to become chondrocytes.
"Another exciting component of the research now underway is that repairs to cartilage using these procedures would be made possible by stimulating cells that previously had no capacity to heal," Dr. Maloney said.
The 24,500-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons www.aaos.org is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy supports the Bone and Joint Decade, 2000-2010, a global initiative to raise awareness of people's musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
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