# Research Landscape of Stem Cell Applications in Musculoskeletal Tissue: A Scoping Review

## TL;DR

This review maps the current state of stem cell research in orthopedics, showing that bone marrow and adipose-derived stem cells are most commonly used for knee osteoarthritis.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive synthesis of 500 studies to identify trends and gaps in stem cell applications for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration.

## Key findings

- Autologous bone marrow-derived and adipose-derived MSCs are the most common cell sources in orthopedic applications.
- Intra-articular injection is the primary delivery method for treating knee osteoarthritis in both preclinical and clinical studies.
- Perinatal allogeneic MSCs and large-animal models are emerging trends alongside established small-animal and clinical investigations.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
Autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs and adipose-derived MSCs remain the predominant cell sources in orthopedic applications, with knee osteoarthritis most frequently used through intra-articular administration.The use of perinatal allogeneic MSCs and large-animal models has increased, alongside established small-animal and clinical investigations.

Autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs and adipose-derived MSCs remain the predominant cell sources in orthopedic applications, with knee osteoarthritis most frequently used through intra-articular administration.

The use of perinatal allogeneic MSCs and large-animal models has increased, alongside established small-animal and clinical investigations.

What is the implication of the main findings?
The results help inform the design of more focused, standardized, and clinically relevant trials in orthopedic stem cell research.

The results help inform the design of more focused, standardized, and clinically relevant trials in orthopedic stem cell research.

Stem cell therapy represents an intrinsic part of regenerative medicine, with expanding applications in orthopedic and musculoskeletal research. Although studies span from small-animal models to early-phase clinical trials, the field remains fragmented, with wide variation in stem cell types, delivery methods, and target tissues. A consolidated overview is needed to inform future directions and bridge the gap between preclinical promise and clinical application. This scoping review synthesized evidence from 500 preclinical and clinical studies, identified through systematic searches and screened in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data were extracted on stem cell type and source, delivery approach, targeted tissue and organ, and disease indication. We found that autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were the most used, with adipose- and perinatal-derived cells gaining prominence in recent years. Small-animal models such as rats and rabbits predominated, while large-animal and human studies focused mainly on knee osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injection was the principal delivery method across both preclinical and clinical settings. By mapping prevailing practices and emerging trends, this review provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, clinicians, and regulatory stakeholders. It highlights translational pathways, identifies critical gaps, and offers evidence to guide the design of safe, effective, and scalable regenerative therapies in orthopedics.