Articular cartilage repair using allogeneic perichondrocyte-seeded biodegradable porous polylactic acid (PLA): a tissue-engineering study.
Efforts to expand treatment options for articular cartilage repair have increasingly focused on the implantation of cell-polymer constructs. The purpose of this study is to determine the suitability of porous D,D-L,L-polylactic acid as a carrier for delivering repair cells obtained from rib perichondrium into full-thickness articular cartilage defects. In vitro characterization of perichondrocyte-polylactic acid composite grafts was combined with in vivo assessment of the early articular cartilage repair in a clinically relevant model. Using a fluorescent double-stain protocol to visualize live and dead cells in situ, primary cells cultured from perichondrium were found to be capable of attaching to and surviving within a porous D,D-L,L-polylactic acid matrix. These perichondrocyte-polylactic acid composite grafts were then implanted within osteochondral defects drilled into the left medial femoral condyles of 16 adult New Zealand white rabbits. Experimental animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after implantation and the repair tissue was evaluated grossly, histologically, and biochemically. Grossly, 96% (15/16) of the experimental animals demonstrated repairs consisting of a smooth, firm neocartilage which appeared similar in color and texture to the surrounding articular surface. Matrix staining for cartilaginous protein was seen surrounding chondrocyte-like cells in the cartilage regions of the repair. Cellular alignment was found to be related to scaffold architecture. These results suggest that scaffolds composed of porous D,D-L,L-polylactic acid support the growth of cartilaginous repair tissue and are compatible with both in vitro and in vivo survival of chondrogenic cells.
Chu
C R
CR
University California San Diego, Orthopaedic Connective Tissue Biochemistry, La Jolla 92093-0630, USA.
Coutts
R D
RD
Yoshioka
M
M
Harwood
F L
FL
Monosov
A Z
AZ
Amiel
D
D
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000293:injuries / Q000637:transplantation*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002470:Cell Survival; D005269:Femur; D006085:Graft Survival; D007596:Joints; D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011817:Rabbits; D012272:Ribs; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007773:Lactates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)