title: Optimization of allograft implantation using scaffold-free chondrocyte plates.
abstract: If a tissue-engineered cartilage transplant is to succeed, it needs to integrate with the host tissue, to endure physiological loading, and to acquire the phenotype of the articular cartilage. Although there are many reported treatments for osteochondral defects of articular cartilage, problems remain with the use of artificial matrices (scaffolds) and the stage of implantation. We constructed scaffold-free three-dimensional tissue-engineered cartilage allografts using a rotational culture system and investigated the optimal stage of implantation and repair of the remodeling site. We evaluated the amounts of extracellular matrix and gene expression levels in scaffold-free constructs and transplanted the constructs for osteochondral defects using a rabbit model. Allografted 2-week constructs expressed high levels of proteoglycan and collagen per DNA content, integrated with the host cartilage successfully, and were able to counter physiological loads, and the chondrocyte plate contributed reparative mesenchymal stem cells to the final phenotype of the articular cartilage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgical Science, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Katsuko S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: Toshiharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kutsuna
authors.forename: Naoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ushida
authors.forename: Joji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mochida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011817:Rabbits; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D011509:Proteoglycans