Genetic modification of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage repair

Reproduction of a native, functional architecture in articular cartilage defects is a major problem in orthopaedic surgery. The elaboration of workable options to heal damaged cartilage might necessitate to involve cellular, molecular and environmental components to allow for the formation of an adequate and stable repair tissue in sites of injury. Strategies based on the transfer of candidate sequences to progenitor cells offer powerful tools to achieve this goal. The aim of this report is to provide an overview of the most recent therapeutic approaches developed in experimental orthopaedic research.