Mesenchymal stem cells for bone repair: preclinical studies and potential orthopedic applications.

Arinzeh TL.

New Jersey Institute of Technology Biomedical Engineering, 614 East Building, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from adult bone marrow, are multi-potent stem cells capable of differentiating along several lineage pathways. From a small bone marrow aspirate, MSCs can be readily isolated and easily expanded.

Therefore, MSCs are thought to be a readily available source of cells for many tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. This review covers preclinical models that evaluate the efficacy of MSC-loaded scaffolds in large bone defects as a potential substitute for autologous and allogeneic bone grafts. This review also covers new approaches to clinical use of MSC technology.