Knee joint preservation: Strategies for tissue repair and regeneration

Abstract

The research in this thesis aimed at creating clinically applicable treatment options and improved understanding of knee joint preservation. Some of the findings described in this thesis could have a direct impact on patient care, such as the identification of targets for patient selection for PRP treatment and the importance of stability of the ACL for protection of the meniscus. Other studies provide a base for follow-up research that could benefit patients in the future. We have demonstrated the potency of cartilage and meniscus progenitors for tissue engineering and possibly in future cell therapies. We have shown different approaches for meniscus replacement and started an RCT on one-stage cartilage transplantation that will bring us a step closer to providing this regenerative treatment in clinical practice. Lastly, we have unraveled another piece in the puzzle of MSC-induced chondrogenesis, that can improve MSC based treatments and increases our understanding of the communication in the joint.