Chondrogenic differentiation of human articular chondrocytes differs in biodegradable PGA/PLA scaffolds.
Cartilage tissue engineering is applied clinically to cover and regenerate articular cartilage defects. Two bioresorbable nonwoven scaffolds, polyglycolic acid (PGA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (90/10 copolymer of L-lactide and glycolide), were seeded with human chondrocytes after initial progeny in a monolayer with a serum-free medium. Two subgroups of nontreated and plasma-treated (using low-pressure plasma technique) scaffolds were investigated. The constructs were cultivated after seeding in six-well plates with serum-free medium for 7 days and implanted subcutaneously into nude mice for 6 and 12 weeks. Chondrogenic differentiations were investigated using immunhistology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cell adhesion only differed from 50% to 65% without a significant difference between the groups. During further cultivation for 7 days, the aggrecan synthesis of the seeded constructs was always higher in the PGA groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA gene expression for collagen type II was significantly higher in the PGA groups after 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). A decrease in the expression of collagen type I was investigated in all groups. The expression for collagen type X and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) increased in all groups over time. After cell proliferation in serum-free medium, the long-term chondrogenic differentiation in PGA scaffolds in vitro is cartilage specific and may be utilized in cartilage tissue engineering applications.
Zwingmann
Joern
J
Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. jzwingmann@freenet.de
Mehlhorn
Alexander T
AT
Südkamp
Norbert
N
Stark
Bjoern
B
Dauner
Martin
M
Schmal
Hagen
H
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D023421:Models, Animal; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic
D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid