Porous poly(vinyl alcohol)-hydrogel matrix-engineered biosynthetic cartilage.
The objective of this study was to fabricate hydrogel matrix-engineered biosynthetic cartilage using a porous poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (PVA-H) and articular chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were suspended in fibrin gel (FG) or saline carriers and injected into porous PVA-H discs and three-layered constructs (PVA-H between devitalized cartilage). After implantation in nude mice, PVA discs were explanted at 6 weeks and subjected to creep testing for a 20 h period. The three-layered constructs were explanted at 12 weeks and subjected to tensile testing to determine the strength of the interface between the engineered hydrogel and devitalized cartilage. Histological analysis revealed PVA-H porous channels occupied by chondrocytes. Extracellular matrix was identified by Safranin-O and toluidine blue stains. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a positive stain for COL II and scant staining for COL I. Creep and relaxation response of PVA-FG-chondrocyte constructs was similar to that of native cartilage. The presence of cells and FG significantly enhanced the integration strength of layered constructs (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that porous PVA-H in combination with FG and chondrocytes provides a favorable microenvironment for tissue engineering of articular cartilage, creating a biosynthetic construct that can adhere to native devitalized articular cartilage utilizing hydrogel matrix-engineered technology.
Bichara
David A
DA
Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory, Division of Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Zhao
Xing
X
Bodugoz-Senturk
Hatice
H
Ballyns
Fred P
FP
Oral
Ebru
E
Randolph
Mark A
MA
Bonassar
Lawrence J
LJ
Gill
Thomas J
TJ
Muratoglu
Orhun K
OK
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013552:Swine; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol