Hemmen, Bena; (1993) Cellular and molecular aspects of articular cartilage resurfacing. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D.), U.

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Abstract

The aim of this project is to find alternative ways of repairing articular cartilage defects in rabbits by implanting carbon fibre, collagen gel or hydrogel PC 97 plugs with associated chondrocytes. The results were assessed using histology, electron microscopy, biomechanical testing and immunocytochemistry using antibodies against collagen types I and II, chondroitins -4- and -6- sulphates and keratan sulphate. The antibodies were used as qualitative markers of extracellular matrix composition. Isolated chondrocytes, cultured in either a carbon fibre, collagen gel or hydrogel PC 97 plug, were transplanted into full-thickness defects of articular cartilage in the tibiae of mature rabbits. Grafts were examined 3, 6 and 12 months post-implantation using the techniques outlined above. The carbon fibre plugs with associated chondrocytes showed a cartilaginous matrix with incorporation of the carbon fibres at 3 weeks in vitro culture and 3 months postimplantation; after 6 and 12 months cartilage-like tissue was shown in all layers except the surface. After implantation of carbon fibre plugs without chondrocytes the repair tissue was fibro-cartilaginous. The stiffness of the carbon fibre implants at 6 and 12 months post-implantation showed values in the same range as normal rabbit articular cartilage of similar age (native cartilage). The collagen gel plugs with associated chondrocytes showed that after 3 weeks in vitro culture most of the chondrocyte-like cells were present at the surface of the gel, with more fibroblast-like cells within the gel. At 3, 6 and 12 months post-implantation, a variety of repair responses were observed, ranging from repair tissue resembling articular cartilage to fibrous-like graft tissue. Fibrocartilaginous repair tissue generated in the control joints was sparse, with little evidence of chondrogenesis. The stiffness of the collagen gel plugs was lower than in native cartilage. The hydrogel PC 97 plugs plus associated chondrocytes at 3 weeks in vitro culture were surrounded by a cartilage-like matrix. At 3 months post-implantation some areas of the matrix showed pericellular metachromatic staining, and the plugs were well incorporated into the bone, but not into the adjacent cartilage. The control plugs showed the presence of a growth response encapsulating the hydrogel PC 97. The hydrogel PC 97 plugs had a higher stiffness than in native cartilage.

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