title: Microsphere-based gradient implants for osteochondral regeneration: a long-term study in sheep.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The microfracture technique for cartilage repair has limited ability to regenerate hyaline cartilage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study made a direct comparison between microfracture and an osteochondral approach with microsphere-based gradient plugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PLGA-based scaffolds had opposing gradients of chondroitin sulfate and β-tricalcium phosphate. A 1-year repair study in sheep was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The repair tissues in the microfracture were mostly fibrous and had scattered fissures with degenerative changes. Cartilage regenerated with the gradient plugs had equal or superior mechanical properties; had lacunated cells and stable matrix as in hyaline cartilage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first report of gradient scaffolds in a long-term, large animal, osteochondral defect demonstrated potential for equal or better cartilage repair than microfracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.|Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala 695011, India.
authors.forename: Neethu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Banu Priya
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Sridharan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mellott
authors.affiliation: Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremiah T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Easley
authors.affiliation: Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Ross H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Galbraith
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Key
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.|Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.|Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Cory J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Berkland
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.|Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Detamore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D051457:Hyaline Cartilage / Q000502:physiology; D007249:Inflammation; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008863:Microspheres; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates
keywords: cartilage regeneration; chondroitin sulfate; gradients of signals; microfracture; microsphere-based scaffold; osteochondral tissue engineering