New advance ‘could allow cartilage to be created from stem cells’

The production of cartilage formed from embryonic stem cells has moved a step closer following a new discovery at the University of Manchester.

A team backed by Arthritis Research UK have developed a protocol under laboratory conditions to enable stem cells to grow and transform into cartilage cells, also known as chondrocytes, in animal test subjects.

After four weeks, cartilage was partially repaired in the lab rats, and following 12 weeks a smooth surface similar to normal cartilage was observed. Cartilage cells derived from the stem cells were still present and active within the tissue.

Moreover, there were no signs of any side effects, such as the development of abnormal or disorganised joint tissue or tumours.

Professor Sue Kimber, of the faculty of life sciences at the University of Manchester, said: "This work represents an important step forward in treating cartilage damage by using embryonic stem cells to form new tissue, although it's still in its early experimental stages."

This technique, if refined, could in future be used to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, the most common form of joint disease in the UK.