Autologous implantation of de novo cartilage as a therapy for joint cartilage defects

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 96.0288-1

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

Cartilage; implantation; trauma; degeneration; histology; biochemistry

Alternative Projektnummern (Englisch)

EU project number: BMH4CT972437

Forschungsprogramme (Englisch)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 4.2 Agriculture and agroindustry

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

See abstract

Weitere Hinweise und Angaben (Englisch)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Zentrum für Rheuma und Knochenerkrankungen
Klinik im Park

Partner und Internationale Organisationen (Englisch)

Coordinator: Universität Köln (D)

Abstract (Englisch)

The aim of this project has been the development of an in vitro engineered cartilage-like tissue, suitable for implantation into articular cartilage defects. Since only a limited number of cells can be made available through biopsies from the patient, the methods for cell proliferation in vitro are critical. We carried out experiments with monolayer expansion of rabbit chondrocytes. Cells isolated from articular cartilage could be multiplied in low- seeding-density cultures and still after an at least 500-fold increase in number maintain a capacity to divide and produce extracellular matrix upon encapsulation in alginate. Cells prepared from rib cartilage, in contrast to articular chondrocytes, were found to stop growing relatively soon under similar conditions. Thus, articular chondrocytes rather than rib chondrocytes were considered useful as source of autologous cells for implant production.Initially, alginate gel was used as a carrier material for the chondrocytes and was implanted together with autologous cells. However, the results from the first series of rabbit and minipig operations indicated a delayed natural healing and a progressive destruction of the implant, associated with a foreign body reaction against the alginate component. To overcome these problems, a novel, carrier-free, autologous chondrocyte-based tissue implant was developed. Hence, chondrocytes were grown in alginate gel for a defined time period followed by removal of alginate using citrate, i.e. a chelator of divalent cations. The cells were cultured in the absence of alginate for up to 6 weeks. During this period, the cell number remained constant whereas accumulation of extracellular matrix was significant. Proteglycan concentrations representing about 40% of the concentration in normal articular cartilage were reached. Mechanical testing, revealed that material stiffness was 25% of that of normal articular cartilage at the end of the culture period.

Datenbankreferenzen (Englisch)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 96.0288-1