Press Release: Depriving stem cells of oxygen and forming them into spheroids before using them to treat bone defects increases their ability to form new bone and repair existing bone, according to a new study in STEM CELLS.

The study was led by Kent Leach, Ph.D., a professor of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Davis. “Cell-based approaches for musculoskeletal tissue repair are limited by poor cell survival and engraftment,” he said. “Cells are initially delivered to harsh environments that lack oxygen. We already knew that short-term hypoxic (low oxygen levels) preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can prolong cell viability in lab culture, while forming the MSCs into spheroids increases cell survival, trophic factor secretion and tissue formation in vivo.

For the extended press release at The Stem Cells Portal, click here.