Chondrocyte transplantation using a collagen bilayer matrix for cartilage repair.
We have developed a novel, two-layered, collagen matrix seeded with chondrocytes for repair of articular cartilage. It consists of a dense collagen layer which is in contact with bone and a porous matrix to support the seeded chondrocytes. The matrices were implanted in rabbit femoral trochleas for up to 24 weeks. The control groups received either a matrix without cells or no implant. The best histological repair was seen with cell-seeded implants. The permeability and glycosaminoglycan content of both implant groups were nearly normal, but were significantly less in tissue from empty defects. The type-II collagen content of the seeded implants was normal. For unseeded implants it was 74.3% of the normal and for empty defects only 20%. The current treatments for articular injury often result in a fibrous repair which deteriorates with time. This bilayer implant allowed sustained hyaline-like repair of articular defects during the entire six-month period of observation.
Frenkel
S R
SR
Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Toolan
B
B
Menche
D
D
Pitman
M I
MI
Pachence
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D003094:Collagen