Nasal chondrocytes and fibrin sealant for cartilage tissue engineering

✍ Scribed by C. Vinatier; O. Gauthier; M. Masson; O. Malard; A. Moreau; B. H. Fellah; M. Bilban; R. Spaethe; G. Daculsi; J. Guicheux

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 416 KB
• Volume: 89A
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1549-3296
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.31988

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Hybrid constructs associating a biodegradable matrix and autologous chondrocytes hold promise for the treatment of articular cartilage defects. In this context, our objective was to investigate the potential use of nasal chondrocytes associated with a fibrin sealant for the treatment of articular cartilage defects. The phenotype of primary nasal chondrocytes (NC) from human (HNC) and rabbit (RNC) origin were characterized by RT‐PCR. The ability of constructs associating fibrin sealant and NC to form a cartilaginous tissue in vivo was investigated, firstly in a subcutaneous site in nude mice and secondly in an articular cartilage defect in rabbit. HNC express type II collagen and aggrecan, the two major hallmarks of a chondrocytic phenotype. Furthermore, when injected subcutaneously into nude mice within a fibrin sealant, these chondrocytes were able to form a cartilage‐like tissue. Our data indicate that RNC also express type II collagen and aggrecan and maintained their phenotype in three‐dimensional culture within a fibrin sealant. Moreover, treatment of rabbit articular cartilage defects with autologous RNC embedded in a fibrin sealant led to the formation of a hyalin‐like repair tissue. The use of fibrin sealant containing hybrid autologous NC therefore appears as a promising approach for cell‐based therapy of articular cartilage. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009