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World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2026; 18(4): 117271
Published online Apr 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i4.117271
Published online Apr 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i4.117271
Future perspectives on mesenchymal stromal cell-derived secretomes in knee osteoarthritis
Anandanarayan Muruganandam, Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine - Sri Lalithambigai Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, Tamil Nadu, India
Naveen Jeyaraman, Madhan Jeyaraman, Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
Naveen Jeyaraman, Swaminathan Ramasubramanian, Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy, Sathish Muthu, Madhan Jeyaraman, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Agathisha Institute of Stemcell and Regenerative Medicine, Chennai 600030, Tamil Nadu, India
Naveen Jeyaraman, Sathish Muthu, Madhan Jeyaraman, Department of Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Research Group, Chennai 641045, Tamil Nadu, India
Ashika Mudilikulam Sukumaran, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine - Sri Lalithambigai Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, Tamil Nadu, India
Viji Devanand, Department of Physiology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600044, Tamil Nadu, India
Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy, Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Karaikal 609602, Puducherry, India
Sathish Muthu, Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kanchipuram 631552, Tamil Nadu, India
Co-first authors: Anandanarayan Muruganandam and Naveen Jeyaraman.
Author contributions: Muruganandam A and Jeyaraman N contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-first authors. Jeyaraman N and Muthu S designed the research; Muruganandam A, Jeyaraman N, Sukumaran MA, Ramasubramanian S, Devanand V, and Nallakumarasamy A analyzed the articles for performing review and wrote the manuscript; Muthu S and Jeyaraman M finalized the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Madhan Jeyaraman, MD, PhD, Researcher, Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Velap
Received: December 3, 2025
Revised: December 20, 2025
Accepted: February 4, 2026
Published online: April 26, 2026
Processing time: 138 Days and 13.2 Hours
Revised: December 20, 2025
Accepted: February 4, 2026
Published online: April 26, 2026
Processing time: 138 Days and 13.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived secretomes, rich in exosomes, cytokines, and growth factors, offer a cell-free therapeutic strategy for knee osteoarthritis by modulating inflammation, promoting chondroprotection, and restoring subchondral bone homeostasis. Their paracrine-driven mechanisms target multiple pathological pathways simultaneously, surpassing symptomatic treatments. However, clinical translation demands rigorous standardization, optimized delivery systems, and clear regulatory frameworks to unlock their full regenerative potential in osteoarthritis management.