(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A partially derived stem cell that can be produced in large enough numbers to be a realistic treatment for osteoarthritis has been discovered in adult cartilage by scientists at Cardiff University in Wales, UK.

The partially derived cell, also called a ‘progenitor,’ is found within the articular cartilage of adults. Although this particular cell can’t become any cell in the body like a full stem cell, it has the ability to become the cells that make up the body’s cartilage.

Scientists first found a partially derived stem cell in bovine cartilage that, in the lab, could be turned into a chrondocyte -- the cells that make up cartilage. The breakthrough came when they found a similar cell in human cartilage with characteristics that could be used to treat cartilage lesions, as well as slow the onset of osteoarthritis. The team has been able to find these cells in people up to and over 75 years of age.
 

“We have identified a cell which, when grown in the lab, can produce enough of a person’s own cartilage that it could be effectively transplanted,” lead researcher, Charlie Archer from the Cardiff School of Biosciences was quoted as saying. Archer also noted there are limitations in transplanting someone’s cartilage cells, but when they are grown from a resident cell, he believes the limitations can be overcome.

The next step is to do animal trials. If they are successful, Archer hopes to start clinical trials next year.

Archer and his colleagues say they believe their research could lead to real benefits for arthritis suffers and especially younger active patients with cartilage lesions that can progress to full-scale osteoarthritis.

SOURCE: Presented at the 2008 UK National Stem Cell Network Annual Science Meeting, Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, April 9-11, 2008