Processed xenogenic cartilage as innovative biomatrix for cartilage tissue engineering: effects on chondrocyte differentiation and function

Abstract

One key point in the development of new bioimplant matrices for the reconstruction and replacement of cartilage defects is to provide an adequate microenvironment to ensure chondrocyte migration and de novo synthesis of cartilage-specific extracellular matrix (ECM). A recently developed decellularization and sterilization process maintains the three-dimensional (3D) collagen structure of native septal cartilage while increasing matrix porosity, which is considered to be crucial for cartilage tissue engineering. Human primary nasal septal chondrocytes were amplified in monolayer culture and 3D-cultured on processed porcine nasal septal cartilage scaffolds. The influence of chondrogenic growth factors on neosynthesis of ECM proteins was examined at the protein and gene expression levels. Seeding experiments demonstrated that processed xenogenic cartilage matrices provide excellent environmental properties for human nasal septal chondrocytes with respect to cell adhesion, migration into the matrix and neosynthesis of cartilage-specific ECM proteins, such as collagen type II and aggrecan. Matrix biomechanical stability indicated that the constructs retrieve full stability and function during 3D culture for up to 42 days, proportional to collagen type II and GAG production. Thus, processed xenogenic cartilage offers a suitable environment for human nasal chondrocytes and has promising potential for cartilage tissue engineering in the head and neck region.

Bioengineering of Articular Cartilage: Past, Present and Future

“…Overall there was significant decrease of biomechanical loading stress, which the acellular matrix showing reduced stiffness by about 69.5% [146]. The matrix did however support the growth of chondrocytes and re-acculumation of proteoglycans in the process of in vitro culture [147]. Kang et al also reported the use of decellularized cartilage ECM scaffold loaded with adipose stem cells [148].…”

Chondroinduction from Naturally Derived Cartilage Matrix: A Comparison Between Devitalized and Decellularized Cartilage Encapsulated in Hydrogel Pastes

“…We and other groups have already established that cartilage matrix has chondroinductive potential, 7,[13][14][15][16][17] and we recently were the first to compare the chondroinductive potential of two different types of cartilage matrix in pellet culture: devitalized cartilage (DVC), where the matrix was exposed to a freeze/thaw process to devitalize the living chondrocytes within the matrix, and decellularized cartilage (DCC), in which the cells were not only devitalized but also removed from the matrix entirely. 17 In the pellet culture study, we observed that rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs) exposed to DCC outperformed those cells exposed to DVC or transforming growth factorb 3 (TGF-b 3 ) in chondroinductivity.…”

Controlled release of transforming growth factor-β3 from cartilage-extra-cellular-matrix-derived scaffolds to promote chondrogenesis of human-joint-tissue-derived stem cells

“…heart valves, blood vessels, skin and cartilage [8,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]) scaffolds. In the case of articular cartilage, numerous studies have demonstrated that scaffolds derived from devitalized cartilage are chondroinductive and show great promise for regenerating damaged joints [8,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47].…”