Joint Repair Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

A method of repairing and/or stabilizing a joint by administering mesenchymal stem cells to the joint. Such a method provides for the regeneration of cartilaginous tissue in the joint, including meniscal tissue.

1 - 77 . (canceled) 
   
   
       78 . A method of repairing damaged meniscal tissue in a joint of an animal, comprising:
 administering directly to said joint via intra-articular injection a suspension comprising isolated allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier in an amount effective to repair damaged meniscal tissue in a joint of said animal.   
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein said mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into meniscal tissue. 
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein said suspension does not contain hyaluronan or a hyaluronic acid derivative. 
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein said joint is selected from the group consisting of knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist, elbow, tarsal, metatarsal, spine, carpal, metacarpal, and temporal mandibular joints. 
   
   
       82 . A method of reducing joint pain, comprising:
 administering via intra-articular injection a suspension comprising isolated allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier in an amount effective to reduce joint pain.   
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein said mesenchymal stem cells regenerate meniscal tissue between opposing bone or osteochondral surfaces. 
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein said suspension does not contain hyaluronan or a hyaluronic acid derivative. 
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein said joint is selected from the group consisting of knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist, elbow, tarsal, metatarsal, spine, carpal, metacarpal, and temporal mandibular joints. 
   
   
       86 . A method of preventing osteoarthritis at a site damaged by meniscal injury, comprising:
 administering via intra-articular injection a suspension comprising isolated allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier in an amount effective to prevent osteoarthritis at said site.   
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein said mesenchymal stem cells regenerate meniscal tissue between opposing bone or osteochondral surfaces. 
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein said suspension does not contain hyaluronan or a hyaluronic acid derivative. 
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein said site is selected from the group consisting of knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist, elbow, tarsal, metatarsal, spine, carpal, metacarpal, and temporal mandibular joints. 
   
   
       90 . A method of protecting articular cartilage at a site damaged by meniscal injury, comprising:
 administering via intra-articular injection a suspension comprising isolated allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier in an amount effective to protect articular cartilage at said site.   
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein said suspension does not contain hyaluronan or a hyaluronic acid derivative. 
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein said site is selected from the group consisting of knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist, elbow, tarsal, metatarsal, spine, carpal, metacarpal, and temporal mandibular joints. 
   
   
       93 . A method of reducing osteophyte formation at a site damaged by meniscal injury, comprising:
 administering via intra-articular injection a suspension comprising isolated allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier in an amount effective to reduce osteophyte formation at said site.   
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said suspension does not contain hyaluronan or a hyaluronic acid derivative. 
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said site is selected from the group consisting of knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist, elbow, tarsal, metatarsal, spine, carpal, metacarpal, and temporal mandibular joints.