[Cartilage engineering utilizing a porous bioceramic (beta-TCP)-cell complex].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of growing tissue-engineered cartilage using chondrocytes seeded onto a biodegradable porous bioceramic, the beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP).


METHODS
A porous bioceramic template of beta-TCP was created in the shape of a disc. Chondrocytes isolated from rabbit articular cartilage were seeded on the beta-TCP template and then kept in rotatory cell culture system (RCCS) for 1 week prior to subcutaneous transplantation into athymic mice. The three-dimensional structure was well-maintained 16 weeks after implantation. After 4, 8, 16 weeks, the specimens were harvested and examined macroscopically, histologically and immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
Gross morphological and histological analysis of the specimens from the chondrocyte-beta-TCP complex demonstrated new cartilage construction. The overall configuration of the experimental specimens closely resembled the structure of beta-TCP template.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that porous bioceramic (beta-TCP) is a good "matrix" for chondrocyte, and can be used for cartilage engineering.
Wang
Changyong
C
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing 100850, China.
Bo
Bin
B
Zhao
Qiang
Q
Guo
Ximin
X
Duan
Cuimi
C
Wang
Yonghong
Y
Fan
Ming
M
Lu
Jianxi
J
D000818:Animals; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000254:growth & development / Q000637:transplantation*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D023822:Tissue Engineering
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D004247:DNA; C018392:tricalcium phosphate