Tissue-engineered composites of bone and cartilage for mandible condylar reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the feasibility of creating a tissue-engineered adult human mandible condyle composite of bone and cartilage.


METHODS
A polymer template composed of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polylactic acid (PIA), and formed in the shape of the human mandible condyle, was seeded with osteoblasts isolated from a bovine periosteum suspended in calcium alginate. Chondrocytes isolated from the same calf suspended in 30% pluronic were then "painted" onto the articular surface of the scaffold, and it was then implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the dorsum of athymic mice. Animals were divided into 3 groups: group I (n = 6) received a PGA/PLA scaffold saturated with hydrogels not containing cells; group II (n = 6) received scaffolds seeded with both cell types suspended in saline rather than hydrogels; and group III (n = 6) received scaffolds seeded with both cell types suspended in hydrogel composites. Constructs were harvested after 12 weeks and evaluated grossly and microscopically by using histologic stains.


RESULTS
In group I, the constructs formed a small mass without evidence of new bone or cartilage. In group II, the constructs were small and irregular. Microscopically they contained scattered islands of bone and cartilage. All specimens in group III retained their original condylar shape and were quite firm. Microscopic evaluation indicated trabecular bone interfacing with hyaline cartilage on the articulating surface.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show that the composites of bone and cartilage can be engineered to serve as condylar substitutes. The interdigitation of bone and cartilage at their interface is similar to the normal interface of these composite tissues seen in articulating joints.
Weng
Y
Y
Center for Tissue Engineering, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Massachsetts Medical School, Worchester, USA.
Cao
Y
Y
Silva
C A
CA
Vacanti
M P
MP
Vacanti
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002417:Cattle; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000601:surgery*; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers
D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D020723:Glucuronic Acid