Development of a biologic prosthetic composite for cartilage repair.
At present there is no satisfactory treatment for deep osteochondral defects. Here we report the development of a biologic prosthetic composite containing periosteum from 2-month-old rabbits and a porous tantalum scaffold. When cultured under chondrogenic conditions, the composites form a robust hyaline-like cartilage outgrowth that is attached to the porous scaffold by fibrous tissue ingrowth. The mechanical properties of these composites are similar to those of normal osteochondral plugs after only 6 weeks in culture. Thus, porous tantalum scaffolds are compatible with the chondrogenic capacity of periosteum. We hypothesize that these periosteum-porous tantalum composites will be useful for the repair of major osteochondral defects. However, in vivo experiments using biological resurfacing of large osteochondral defects with a porous tantalum scaffold and autologous periosteal graft in animal models are necessary to further explore this possibility. The implications of a successful method for cartilage regeneration would be great in terms of the number of patients affected and the quality of life for each of those patients.
Mardones
Rodrigo M
RM
Cartilage and Connective Tissue Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Reinholz
Gregory G
GG
Fitzsimmons
James S
JS
Zobitz
Mark E
ME
An
Kai-Nan
KN
Lewallen
David G
DG
Yaszemski
Michael J
MJ
O'Driscoll
Shawn W
SW
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003720:Densitometry; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing; D008954:Models, Biological; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010521:Periosteum / Q000166:cytology; D016062:Porosity; D011817:Rabbits; D013635:Tantalum; D013977:Tibia / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D013635:Tantalum; D003094:Collagen