[The experimental study on optimal cell density and formation time of tissue engineered autologous cartilage].
OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to investigate the suitable cell density and the best formation time of tissue engineered autologous cartilage and to provide theoretical basis and parameters for clinical application.


METHODS
The chondrocytes isolated from mini swines' ears were mixed with injectable biocompatible matrix (Pluronic), and the density of cell suspensions were 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 x 10(4)/ml. The chondrocyte-polymer constructs were subcutaneously injected into the abdomen of autologous swine. The specimens were observed grossly and histologically after 6 weeks, and investigated the suitable cell density. Then the chondrocyte-polymer constructs with suitable cell density were transplanted into the abdomen of autologous swine and evaluated grossly and histologically in 1, 3, 6, 9, 15 weeks after transplantation to investigate the best formation time of tissue engineered cartilage.


RESULTS
The experiments demonstrated that the tissue engineered autologous cartilage was similar to the natural cartilage on animals with normal immune system in histological characteristics. The optimal chondrocyte density is 50 x 10(6)/ml, and the proper harvest time is the sixth week.


CONCLUSIONS
With tissue engineering skills, we have identified the optimal chondrocyte density and the proper harvest time.
Xia
W Y
WY
Research Center of Tissue Engineering, Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China 200011. xwy18@hotmail.com
Cao
Y L
YL
Shang
Q X
QX
D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D008297:Male; D020442:Poloxamer; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D020442:Poloxamer