Cartilage tissue engineering with chondoryctes and stem cells

초록

Articular cartilage is a unique tissue as being avascular, aneural, and has a limited capacity for self-repair. The use of tissue engineering is one of the most promisiong approaches for cartilage repair. It is well know that cell growth, morphorogy, and differentiation are profoundly influenced by the composition of the cellular environment. Therefore, a variety of matrices have been studied to find a template providing optimal conditions for chondrocyte differentiation and further restoration of the defective cartilage tissue. Such a tissuelike environment could be established in 3-dimensional chodnrocyte cultures using agarose gel, collagen, fibrin, or alginate. Moreover, several groups of biomaterials have been proposed as support for in vitro chondrocyte growth: synthetic polymers PLA, PGA, or PLGA, and natural molecules, such as collagen-based sponges or HA-based devices. However, none of the of numerous substances studied meets all requirments of an optimal culture and transplant template, so it seems promisiong to apply a culture technique combining advantages of different matrices. Cartilage tissue engineering based on the use of primary and precursor cells in conjuction with natural and synthetic polymeric scaffolds to create functional cartilage tissue is discussed here with respect to various factors that can be utilized to modulate the development of engineered constructs. Fibrin-Hyaluronic acid (HA) composite gel: Hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component in artiuclar cartilage has been explored as a biological matrix for three-dimensional chondrocyte cultures. Fibrin sealants have been widely used in orthopedic surgery, and have also been tried as a potential delivery vehicle for various biologics and extracellular matrix. However, attempt to form a composite fibrin gel body containing high levels of HA for chondrocyte growth and differentiation in vitro was not successful. Such an adhesive composite matrix could provide ready-made cell delivery vehicle