title: Human cartilage engineering: chondrocyte extraction, proliferation, and characterization for construct development.
abstract: To date, many efforts to engineer cartilage have focused on matrix construction with the goal of producing a durable construct as cartilage replaces the resorbing matrix. However, the importance of matrix construction is at least matched by the challenge of efficient chondrocyte extraction, culture expansion, and prevention of dedifferentiation. This challenge is underscored by the large number of chondrocytes needed for a clinically significant construct such as an ear. Because human rib provides a large, readily available source of hyaline cartilage, the authors evaluated human rib chondrocyte extraction and found that maximum viable cell yield occurred after a 6-hour digestion. They also evaluated human microtic auricular remnant chondrocyte extraction and identified fibroblast contamination as a shortcoming of this potential source of chondrocytes. Initially, rib chondrocytes proliferated in vitro with a doubling time of approximately 1 week. As the cells were passaged, proliferation decreased such that the cells stopped proliferating and adopted a large, spindle-shaped morphology by passage 6. Interestingly, no increase in proliferation was noted when rib chondrocytes were stimulated with transforming growth factor beta 1, bone morphogenetic protein 2, and basic fibroblast growth factor. The major obstacles to the use of autologous rib chondrocytes in matrix construction are the low cell yield from a small piece of rib and the limited proliferation that these cells will undergo in vitro. Further investigation of culture systems and mitogenic cytokines may help resolve these limitations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Saadeh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brent
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mehrara
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Steinbrech
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Gittes
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Longaker
mesh_terms: D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D019902:Chondrocytes; D004431:Ear, External / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012272:Ribs / Q000166:cytology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2