Mesenchymal stem cells-derived microvesicles versus platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of monoiodoacetate-induced temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in Albino rats

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a serious disease, designated by severe joint pain and dysfunction. Limitations of current therapeutics have led to an increased interest in regenerative strategies. Recently, the non-surgical treatment of OA has seen increased use of biologic injectable therapies like mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Although these biotherapies represent an admirable effort, more studies are necessary to determine their efficacy. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the curative potential of a single intra-articular injection of bone marrow MSCs-derived microvesicles (BM-MSCs-MVs) versus a single intra-articular injection of PRP in monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced TMJ-OA model in Albino rats. Forty-eight male rats were used. A single intra-articular unilateral MIA injection was utilized to induce TMJ-OA. One week post induction, rats were sorted into 3 groups (16 rats each): group (I): received no treatment, groups (II) & (III): received BM-MSCs-MVs and PRP respectively. Scarification was done at 2 and 4 weeks from onset of treatment. Histological changes of the condylar TMJ were examined with H&E staining. Expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, MMP-13, MMP-3, and collagen ΙΙ markers was detected using real-time PCR. Histologically, the osteoarthritic group exhibited degenerated condylar tissues which were aggravated at 4 weeks. Oppositely, a marked improvement in the condylar TMJ histology was noticed in both the BM-MSCs-MVs-and PRP-treated groups at both time intervals. Additionally, the treated groups showed a decrease in IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, MMP-13 and MMP-3 and an increase in collagen ΙΙ genes expression in contrast to the untreated group. Moreover, this difference was significant in the BM-MSCs-MVs group as compared to the PRP-treated group. Our results concluded that BM-MSCs-MVs as well as PRP treatments were able to target the key pathological features in OA, mainly inflammation and matrix degradation, and helped in restoring condylar structure in TMJ-OA rat model. However, BM-MSCs-MVs treatment exhibited more efficient therapeutic potential as compared to PRP treatment.