Decellularized cartilage matrix as a novel biomatrix for cartilage tissue-engineering applications.
Damage of cartilage structures in the head and neck region as well as in orthopedic sites are frequently caused by trauma, tumor resection, or congenital defects. Despite a high demand in many clinical fields, until today, no adequate cartilage replacement matrix is available for these fields of application. Materials that are clinically applied for joint cartilage repair still need optimization due to difficult intraoperative handling and risk of early mechanical damage. We have developed and applied a novel chemical process to completely decellularize and sterilize human and porcine cartilage tissues (meniscus cartilage and nasal septum) to generate a new type of bioimplant matrix. To characterize this matrix and to determine the effect of the decellularization process, the content of denatured collagen (w(D)) and the content of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (w(G)) were determined. Possible cytotoxic effects and cellular compatibility of the matrix in vitro have been examined by seeding processed cartilage biomatrices with human primary chondrocytes as well as murine fibroblasts (L929). Vitality and state of metabolism of cells were measured using MTS assays. Both cell types adhered to scaffold surfaces and proliferated. No areas of growth inhibition or cytotoxic effects were detected. New synthesis of cartilage-specific extracellular matrix was observed. By histological staining, electron microscopy, and μCT analysis, an increase of matrix porosity, complete cell elimination, and high GAG removal were demonstrated. Being from natural-origin, processed xenogenic and allogeneic cartilage biomatrices are highly versatile with regard to shape, size, and biomechanics, making them promising candidates for various biomedical applications.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany. silke.schwarz@uniklinik-ulm.de
Silke
S
Schwarz
Ludwig
L
Koerber
Alexander F
AF
Elsaesser
Eva
E
Goldberg-Bockhorn
Andreas M
AM
Seitz
Lutz
L
Dürselen
Anita
A
Ignatius
Paul
P
Walther
Roman
R
Breiter
Nicole
N
Rotter
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000187:drug effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D016062:Porosity; D011489:Protein Denaturation / Q000187:drug effects; D034421:Sus scrofa; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C013786:A73025; D003094:Collagen; D000117:Acetylglucosamine