The potential of tissue engineering in orthopedics.
This article presents models of human phalanges and small joints developed by tissue engineering. Biodegradable polymer scaffolds support growth of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and tenocytes after implantation of the models in athymic mice. The cell-polymer constructs are vascularized by the host mice, form new bone, cartilage, and tendon with characteristic gene expression and protein synthesis and secretion, and maintain the shape of human phalanges with joints. The study demonstrates critical progress in the design and fabrication of bone, cartilage, and tendon by tissue engineering and the potential of this field for human clinical orthopedic applications.
Landis
William J
WJ
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology, Northeastern Ohio Universities, College of Medicine, 4209 State Route 44, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA. wjl@neoucom.edu
Jacquet
Robin
R
Hillyer
Jennifer
J
Zhang
Jean
J
Siperko
Lorraine
L
Chubinskaya
Susan
S
Asamura
Shinichi
S
Isogai
Noritaka
N
D000818:Animals; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002356:Cartilage / Q000254:growth & development; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000254:growth & development; D005385:Fingers / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009985:Orthopedics; D010521:Periosteum / Q000254:growth & development; D013710:Tendons / Q000254:growth & development; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*