- Bone marrow contains rare progenitor cells with unlimited
growth potential called mesenchymal stem cells. They are capable
of differentiating into lineages of bone, cartilage, tendon,
fat, muscle, and marrow stroma. They are capable of healing a
clinically significant bone defect. (3, 4, 9, 18, 24)
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteo-progenitor Pre-OsteoblastTransitory
OsteoblastSecretory OsteoblastOsteocytic OsteoblastOsteocyte
Figure 7- Mechanism for Osteogenic Cell Lineage Adapted from Dr.
Scott Bruder (2) - These stem cells have been used to regenerate
and repair achilles tendon and full-thickness articular
cartilage defects in rabbits. They have also been used to
regenerate normal muscle in a mouse with muscular dystrophy.
Large segmental bone defects have been repaired in rats and dogs
using these stem cells. (3) - In one study, mesenchymal stem
cells were isolated from normal human bone marrow and implanted
into critical-sized segmental defects in the femurs of adult
athymic rats. Radiographic and histologic