Interaction of chondrocytes, extracellular matrix and growth factors: relevance for articular cartilage tissue engineering.
The abundant extracellular matrix of articular cartilage has to be maintained by a limited number of chondrocytes. Vice versa, the extracellular matrix has an important role in the regulation of chondrocyte function.


OBJECTIVE
In this review we discuss the role of the extracellular matrix in the regulation of chondrocyte function and the relevance for cartilage tissue engineering. To reach this goal the international literature on this subject has been searched with a major focus on the last 5 years.


RESULTS
Structural matrix macromolecules (e.g. collagen, hyaluronate), but also growth factors (e.g. IGF-I, TGF beta) entrapped in the matrix and released under specific conditions affect chondrocyte behavior. These factors communicate with the chondrocyte via specific membrane receptors. In this way there is a close interaction between the extracellular and intracellular milieu. Articular cartilage has a limited capacity of intrinsic repair, which has resulted in the development of tissue engineering approaches to repair damaged cartilage. Successful application of scaffolds has to take into account the important role of both soluble and insoluble matrix-derived factors in cartilage homeostasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional tissue engineering will only be realized when the scaffolds used will provide cartilage cells with the correct extracellular signals.
van der Kraan
P M
PM
Laboratory for Experimental Rheumatology and Advanced Therapeutics, Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Geert Grooteplein 26-28 Nijmegen, The Netherlands. p.vanderkraan@ncmls.nl
Buma
P
P
van Kuppevelt
T
T
van den Berg
W B
WB
D017302:Annexins / Q000502:physiology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014162:Transfection; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D017302:Annexins; D006133:Growth Substances; D016023:Integrins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I