title: Crosslinked type II collagen matrices: preparation, characterization, and potential for cartilage engineering.
abstract: The limited intrinsic repair capacity of articular cartilage has stimulated continuing efforts to develop tissue engineered analogues. Matrices composed of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate (CS), the major constituents of hyaline cartilage, may create an appropriate environment for the generation of cartilage-like tissue. In this study, we prepared, characterized, and evaluated type 11 collagen matrices with and without CS. Type II collagen matrices were prepared using purified, pepsin-treated, type II collagen. Techniques applied to prepare type I collagen matrices were found unsuitable for type II collagen. Crosslinking of collagen and covalent attachment of CS was performed using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide. Porous matrices were prepared by freezing and lyophilization, and their physico-chemical characteristics (degree of crosslinking, denaturing temperature, collagenase-resistance, amount of CS incorporated) established. Matrices were evaluated for their capacity to sustain chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation in vitro. After 7 d of culture, chondrocytes were mainly located at the periphery of the matrices. In contrast to type I collagen, type II collagen supported the distribution of cells throughout the matrix. After 14 d of culture, matrices were surfaced with a cartilagenous-like layer, and occasionally clusters of chondrocytes were present inside the matrix. Chondrocytes proliferated and differentiated as indicated by biochemical analyses, ultrastructural observations, and reverse transcriptase PCR for collagen types I, II and X. No major differences were observed with respect to the presence or absence of CS in the matrices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, NCMLS, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pieper
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van der Kraan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hafmans
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamp
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buma
authors.forename: J L C
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: van Susante
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Veerkamp
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: van Kuppevelt
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024043:Collagen Type II; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D004247:DNA