title: Volume Expansion of Tissue Engineered Human Nasal Septal Cartilage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cartilaginous craniofacial defects range in size and autologous cartilaginous tissue is preferred for repair of these defects. Therefore, it is important to have the ability to produce large size cartilaginous constructs for repair of cartilaginous abnormalities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To produce autologous human septal neocartilage constructs substantially larger in size than previously produced constructsTo demonstrate that volume expanded neocartilage constructs possess comparable histological and biochemical properties to standard size constructsTo show that volume expanded neocartilage constructs retain similar biomechanical properties to standard size constructs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, basic science.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used remnant human septal specimens removed during routine surgery at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center or San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Cartilage from a total of 8 donors was collected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human septal chondrocytes from 8 donors were used to create 12mm and 24mm neocartilage constructs. These were cultured for a total of 10 weeks. Photo documentation, histological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties were measured and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 24mm diameter constructs were qualitatively similar to the 12mm constructs. They possessed adequate strength and durability to be manually manipulated. Histological analysis of the constructs demonstrated similar staining patterns in standard and volume expanded constructs. Proliferation, as measured by DNA content, was similar in 24mm and 12mm constructs. Additionally, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and total collagen content did not significantly differ between the two construct sizes. Biomechanical analysis of the 24mm and 12mm constructs demonstrated comparable compressive and tensile properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Volume expanded human septal neocartilage constructs are qualitatively and histologically similar to standard 12mm constructs. Biochemical and biomechanical analysis of the constructs demonstrated equivalent properties. This study shows that modification of existing protocols is not required to successfully produce neocartilage constructs in larger sizes for reconstruction of more substantial craniofacial defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  NA.
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 S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Reuther
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA ; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.affiliation: Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
authors.forename: Monica K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Neuman
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: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sah
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: Cartilage construct; Cartilage tissue engineering; Human septal cartilage