title: Chondrocytes culture in three-dimensional porous alginate scaffolds enhanced cell proliferation, matrix synthesis and gene expression.
abstract: For the limited availability of autologous chondrocytes, a cultured system for expansion in vitro until sufficient cells are obtained must be developed. These cells must maintain their chondrocyte phenotype in vitro as well as in vivo, following implantation to ensure that differentiated chondrocytes synthesize a normal hyaline cartilage matrix and not a fibro-cartilage matrix. This study uses porous three-dimensional (3-D) alginate scaffolds within a perfusion system to culture low-density (5 x 10(5) cells) primary porcine chondrocytes for 1-4 weeks to study their proliferation and differentiation. The results of RT-PCR reveal that most cells could maintain their differentiation state for up to 4 weeks of culturing. Chondrocytes proliferated to 3 x 10(7) cells after 4 weeks in culture. Alginate scaffolds induced the formation of chondrocyte clusters and stimulated the synthesis of matrix, which effects were evaluated using histology and electron microscopy. These findings demonstrate that culturing chondrocytes in alginate scaffolds may effectively prevent the dedifferentiation and improve autologous chondrocyte transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chi-Nan
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Yu-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yung-Chih
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: I-Ming
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid