title: Autotransplantation of Monkey Ear Perichondrium-Derived Progenitor Cells for Cartilage Reconstruction.
abstract: We recently developed a promising regenerative method based on the xenotransplantation of human cartilage progenitor cells, demonstrating self-renewing elastic cartilage reconstruction with expected long-term tissue restoration. However, it remains unclear whether autotransplantation of cartilage progenitors may work by a similar principle in immunocompetent individuals. We used a nonhuman primate (monkey) model to assess the safety and efficacy of our regenerative approach because the model shares characteristics with humans in terms of biological functions, including anatomical features. First, we identified the expandable and multipotent progenitor population from monkey ear perichondrium and succeeded in inducing chondrocyte differentiation in vitro. Second, in vivo transplanted progenitor cells were capable of reconstructing elastic cartilage by xenotransplantation into an immunodeficient mouse. Finally, the autologous monkey progenitor cells were transplanted into the subcutaneous region of a craniofacial section and developed mature elastic cartilage of their own 3 months after transplantation. Furthermore, we attempted to develop a clinically relevant, noninvasive monitoring method using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Collectively, this report shows that the autologous transplantation of cartilage progenitors is potentially effective for reconstructing elastic cartilage. This principle will be invaluable for repairing craniofacial injuries and abnormalities in the context of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kagimoto
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takebe
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yuichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yabuki
authors.forename: Ayaka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirotomi
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.forename: Toshimasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maegawa
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous