Creating Cartilage in Tissue-Engineered Chamber Using Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Cell Culture

Abstract

Background: Clinically available cartilage, such as large-volume tissue-engineered cartilage, is urgently required for various clinical applications. Tissue engineering chamber (TEC) models are a promising organlevel strategy for efficient enlargement of cells or tissues within the chamber. The conventional TEC technology is not suitable for cartilage culture, because it lacks the necessary chondrogenic growth factor, which is present in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In this study, we added autogenous auricular cartilage fragments mixed with PRP in a TEC to obtain a large amount of engineered cartilage. Experiment: To prove the efficacy of this method, 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: PRP, vascularized (Ves), PRP, PRP+Ves, and control. Auricular cartilage was harvested from the rabbits, cut into fragments (2 mm), and then injected into TECs. Cartilage constructs were harvested at week 8, and construct volumes were measured. Histological morphology, immunochemical staining, and mechanical strength were evaluated. Results: At week 8, PRP+Ves constructs developed a white, cartilage-like appearance. The volume of cartilage increased by 600% the original volume from 0.30 to 1.8-0.1789 mL. Histological staining showed proliferation of edge chondrocytes in the embedded cartilage in the PRP and PRP+Ves groups. Furthermore, the cartilage constructs in the PRP+Ves group show mechanical characteristics similar to those of normal cartilage. Conclusions: Auricular cartilage fragments mixed with PRP and vascularization of the TEC showed a significantly increased cartilage tissue volume after 8 weeks of incubation in rabbits.

Genetically engineered chondrocytes overexpressing elastin improve cell retention and chondrogenesis in a three‐dimensional GelMA culture system

“…Although chondrocytes originating from different types of cartilage are reported to synthesize corresponding cartilage ECM, endogenous elastic fiber production by isolated auricular chondrocytes is insufficient (Landau et al, 2021). Many approaches have been explored to improve cartilage regeneration, whereas less emphasis has been placed on elastic fiber production (Akay et al, 2010; Cohen et al, 2018; Jessop et al, 2016; Oh et al, 2018; Posniak et al, 2022; M. Wang et al, 2020). To address this issue, we used genetic manipulation to increase endogenous elastic fiber production.…”