Extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells mediate extracellular matrix remodeling in osteoarthritis through the transport of microRNA-29a

Table 1 The Pelletier gross scoring criteria

Articular surface conditions	Rating
The articular surfaces are intact and of normal color	0
The articular surface is slightly rough, with small fissures visible and loss of luster	1
Mild damage to the articular surface, with cartilage damage reaching the superficial or middle cartilage layer	2
The articular surface is heavily damaged, with the defect reaching deep into the cartilage but not yet exposing the subchondral bone	3
The cartilage defect is severe, and the subchondral bone is exposed or even damaged	4

Table 2 The Lequesne MG rating criteria

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Pain conditions	No significant reaction	Avoidance contraction of the affected limb following compression	Avoided contraction of the affected limb and turn back, body out present tremor	Violent contraction of the affected limb, violent shaking and struggling of the body
Gait	Normal gait	Mild limp but strong stirring of the affected limb	The limp is pronounced, and the strength of the affected limb to stir on the ground is reduced	The affected limb is afraid to walk on the ground
Knee range of motion	> 90°	45°-90°	15°-45°	< 15°
Swelling	No swelling and clear bony markings	Mild swelling with superficial bony markings	Significant swelling and loss of bony markings

Table 3 Comparison of Lequesne MG grades at three different time points

Group	Localized pain assessment				Gait assessment				Knee joint range of motion assessment				Swelling condition assessment
	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
4-wk NC group	2	6	4	0	1	7	4	0	0	8	3	1	0	8	4
4-wk Exo group	8	3	1	0	3	8	1	0	6	5	1	0	9	3	0
4-wk E-Exo group	11	1	0	0	4	6	2	0	7	5	0	0	10	2	0
8-wk NC group	0	1	3	2	0	2	3	1	0	1	3	2	0	2	4
8-wk Exo group	3	2	1	0	2	3	1	0	0	4	2	0	3	3	0
8-wk E-Exo group	4	2	0	0	1	4	1	0	2	3	1	0	4	2	0

Exo: Exosomes; NC: Negative control.