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The Results of Fetal Chondrocytes 

Transplantation in Patients with 

Rheumatoid Arthritis 

 

Natalya Krivoruchko, Saltanat 

Tuganbekova, Gulnar 

Rakhimbekova, Karlygash 

Kuzembaeva, Lina Zaripova 

 

National Research Medical Center, 
Astana, Kazakhstan  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vol. 3, Suppl. (2014)   |   ISSN 2166-7403 (online)    

DOI 10.5195/cajgh.2014.164   |   http://cajgh.pitt.edu 

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KRIVORUCHKO 

 

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 United States License. 

 

This journal is published by the University Library System of the University of Pittsburgh as part  

of its D-Scribe Digital Publishing Program and is cosponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Press. 

 

Central Asian Journal of Global Health 

Volume 3, Suppl. (2014)  |  ISSN 2166-7403 (online)  |  DOI 10.5195/cajgh.2014.164  |  http://cajgh.pitt.edu 

  

 

Abstract 

Introduction. Nowadays anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy has significantly improved the quality of life and 

prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, there are still many patients with progressive rheumatoid inflammation, 

resulting in the destruction of joints. Cell therapy seems like a promising direction in rheumatology. The aim of our research was 

to evaluate the efficacy of fetal chondrocyte transplantation in patients with RA. 

Methods. We examined 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (I - III stages) between 20 and 63 years of age. They were divided 

into 2 groups: the first group underwent the fetal chondrocytes transplantation (n = 40), and the second was a control group who 

got conservative therapy (n = 20). Donor cells were taken from the chondrogenic layer of the humerus or femur heads and hip 

condyles of human embryos in gestation for 17-20 weeks. A suspension of fetal chondrocytes injected into affected areas of the 

articular surfaces under X-ray control. Cell viability was determined before the injection. Efficacy of the therapy was assessed by 

clinical, instrumental, and laboratory tests. This clinical trial was allowed by The Ministry of Public Health and Ethics Committee. 

All of our patients gave informed consent for the fetal chondrocytes transplantation. 

Results. Evaluation of the clinical manifestations of RA in the first group of patients showed 3.7 times decrease in pain and 1.6 

times relief of synovitis. Complete reduction of contracture was observed in 82% of patients in the first group. Morphometric 

changes in X-ray demonstrated inhibition of the destruction in articular cartilage and surfaces of bones after transplantation of fetal 

chondrocytes. The dynamics of morphological changes in synovium showed 2.5 times reduction of the inflammatory reaction. 

Transplantation of fetal chondrocytes led to a significant reduction in ESR, CRP, fibrinogen , γ-globulin after a period of 12 months 

(p < 0.03). Furthermore, patients in the second group had 2.7 times higher risk of ankylosis compared to the first group. We did 

not observe any complications of fetal chondrocytes transplantation. 

Conclusions. Application of fetal chondrocytes therapy had the desired clinical effect, which was confirmed by reduction of the 

RA activity and decrease of cartilage and bone destruction. 

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, fetal chondrocyte transplantation, chondrocytes 

 

 

 

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