title: Evaluation of Autogenous Engineered Septal Cartilage Grafts in Rabbits- A Minimally Invasive Preclinical Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate safety of autogenous engineered septal neocartilage grafts.Compare properties of implanted grafts versusin vitrocontrols.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, basic science.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Constructs were fabricated from septal cartilage and serum harvested from adult rabbits and then culturedin vitroor implanted on the nasal dorsum as autogenous grafts for 30 or 60 days. Rabbits were monitored for local and systemic complications. Histological, biochemical and biomechanical properties of implanted andin vitroconstructs were evaluated and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No systemic or serious local complications were observed. After 30 and 60 days, implanted constructs contained more DNA (p<0.01) and less sGAG per DNA (p<0.05) when compared within vitrocontrols. Confined compressive aggregate moduli were also higher in implanted constructs when compared within vitrocontrols (p<0.05) and increased with longerin vivoincubation time (p<0.01). Implanted constructs displayed resorption rates of 20-45 percent. Calcium deposition in implanted constructs was observed using alizarin red histochemistry and microtomographic analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autogenous engineered septal cartilage grafts were well tolerated. As seen in experiments with athymic mice, implanted constructs accumulated more DNA and less sGAG when compared within vitrocontrols. Confined compressive aggregate moduli were also higher in implanted constructs. Implanted constructs displayed resorption rates similar to previously published studies using autogenous implants of native cartilage. The basis for observed calcification in implanted constructs and its effect on long-term graft efficacy is unknown at this time and will be a focus of future studies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA ; Head and Neck Surgery Section, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kushnaryov
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Tomonoro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Van W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA ; Head and Neck Surgery Section, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Marsha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reuther
authors.affiliation: Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neuman
authors.affiliation: University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sah
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA ; Head and Neck Surgery Section, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watson
keywords: New Zealand White rabbit; animal model; autologous graft; cartilage tissue engineering; human septal cartilage