Cell-Based Therapies in Musculoskeletal Injuries: The Evolving Role of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Aims: There is considerable interest in the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in the management of musculoskeletal injuries. This review aims to summarise the information in the literature on the evolving role of these cells in the management of these complex heterogenous injuries.
Study design: Review Article.
Place and Duration of Study: University College London Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, United Kingdom.
Methodology: We reviewed the literature to identify studies on the use of BM-MSCs for the management of musculoskeletal injuries.
Results: There is an increasing and encouraging body of evidence to suggest that BM-MSCs have a significant role in the management of musculoskeletal injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, bone, cartilage, menisci and nervous tissue.
Conclusion: Several characteristics of BM-MSCs make them ideal candidates in managing musculoskeletal injuries. Bone marrow is easy to obtain requiring minimal donor site morbidity, invasiveness and anaesthetic. Their autologous nature eliminates the issue of immunoreactions and ethical problems. The majority of studies in the literature however use small animal models, and further work in larger animals and ultimately ethically approved clinical trials should be explored before any significant clinical relevance can be assessed.