title: Integration of tissue-engineered cartilage with host cartilage: an in vitro model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We developed a tissue-engineered biphasic cartilage bone substitute construct which has been shown to integrate with host cartilage and differs from autologous osteochondral transfer in which integration with host cartilage does not occur.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) Develop a reproducible in vitro model to study the mechanisms regulating tissue-engineered cartilage integration with host cartilage, (2) compare the integrative properties of tissue-engineered cartilage with autologous cartilage and (3) determine if chondrocytes from the in-vitro formed cartilage migrate across the integration site.
  
  
  METHODS
  A biphasic construct was placed into host bovine osteochondral explant and cultured for up to 8 weeks (n = 6 at each time point). Autologous osteochondral implants served as controls (n = 6 at each time point). Integration was evaluated histologically, ultrastructurally, biochemically and biomechanically. Chondrocytes used to form cartilage in vitro were labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate which allowed evaluation of cell migration into host cartilage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologic assessment demonstrated that tissue-engineered cartilage integrated over time, unlike autologous osteochondral implant controls. Biochemically there was an increase in collagen content of the tissue-engineered implant over time but was well below that for native cartilage. Integration strength increased between 4 and 8 weeks as determined by a pushout test. Fluorescent cells were detected in the host cartilage up to 1.5 mm from the interface demonstrating chondrocyte migration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tissue-engineered cartilage demonstrated improved integration over time in contrast to autologous osteochondral implants. Integration extent and strength increased with culture duration. There was chondrocyte migration from tissue-engineered cartilage to host cartilage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This in vitro integration model will allow study of the mechanism(s) regulating cartilage integration. Understanding this process will facilitate enhancement of cartilage repair strategies for the treatment of chondral injuries.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Suite 476C, Toronto M5G 1X5, Canada. jtheodoropoulos@mtsinai.on.ca
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Theodoropoulos
authors.forename: J N Amritha
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: De Croos
authors.forename: Sam S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pilliar
authors.forename: Rita A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kandel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D002417:Cattle; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D013997:Time Factors; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous