title: Autologous adipose stem cells and polylactide discs in the replacement of the rabbit temporomandibular joint disc.
abstract: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc lacks functional replacement after discectomy. We investigated tissue-engineered bilayer polylactide (PLA) discs and autologous adipose stem cells (ASCs) as a potential replacement for the TMJ disc. These ASC discs were pre-cultured either in control or in differentiation medium, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 for one week. Prior to implantation, expression of fibrocartilaginous genes was measured by qRT-PCR. The control and differentiated ASC discs were implanted, respectively, in the right and left TMJs of rabbits for six (n = 5) and 12 months (n = 5). Thereafter, the excised TMJ areas were examined with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histology. No signs of infection, inflammation or foreign body reactions were detected at histology, whereas chronic arthrosis and considerable condylar hypertrophy were observed in all operated joints at CBCT. The left condyle treated with the differentiated ASC discs appeared consistently smoother and more sclerotic than the right condyle. The ASC disc replacement resulted in dislocation and morphological changes in the rabbit TMJ. The ASC discs pre-treated with TGF-β1 enhanced the condylar integrity. While adverse tissue reactions were not shown, the authors suggest that with improved attachment and design, the PLA disc and biomaterial itself would hold potential for TMJ disc replacement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahtiainen
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mauno
authors.forename: Ville
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ellä
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hagström
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindqvist
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miettinen
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ylikomi
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kellomäki
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seppänen
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C033616:poly(lactide)
keywords: adipose stem cell; biodegradable replacement; discectomy; polylactide; temporomandibular joint disc; tissue engineering