Menstrual Blood Cells Repair Cartilage

Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology, including Dr. Ilona Uzielienė and Dr. Edvinas Krugly, have discovered a promising cell-free therapy for Osteoarthritis. This therapy utilizes extracellular vesicles derived from menstrual blood stromal cells, which have shown potential to stimulate cartilage repair. The study, published in Scientific Reports, demonstrated that these vesicles can improve cartilage cell function and slow tissue degradation, even in older postmenopausal women. The team is also developing biomimetic scaffolds to protect and gradually release these fragile vesicles, enhancing treatment outcomes. This interdisciplinary research aims to provide a non-invasive and effective solution for Osteoarthritis, a condition currently lacking treatments that can halt or reverse cartilage degeneration.