2 research outputs found
Evaluation of a co-culture of rapidly isolated chondrocytes and stem cells seeded on tri-layered collagen-based scaffolds in a caprine osteochondral defect model
Cartilage has poor regenerative capacity and thus damage to the joint surfaces presents a major clinical challenge. Recent research has focussed on the development of tissue-engineered and cell-based approaches for the
treatment of cartilage and osteochondral injuries, with current clinically available cell-based approaches including autologous chondrocyte implantation and matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation. However,
these approaches have significant disadvantages due to the requirement for a two-stage surgical procedure and
an in vitro chondrocyte expansion phase which increases logistical challenges, hospital times and costs. In this
study, we hypothesized that seeding biomimetic tri-layered scaffolds, with proven regenerative potential, with
chondrocyte/infrapatellar fat pad stromal cell co-cultures would improve their regenerative capacity compared
to scaffolds implanted cell-free. Rapid cell isolation techniques, without the requirement for long term in vitro
culture, were utilised to achieve co-cultures of chondrocytes and stromal cells and thus overcome the limitations
of existing cell-based techniques. Cell-free and cell-seeded scaffolds were implanted in osteochondral defects,
created within the femoral condyle and trochlear ridge, in a translational large animal goat model. While analysis showed trends towards delayed subchondral bone healing in the cell-seeded scaffold group, by the 12 month
timepoint the cell-free and cell-seeded groups yield cartilage and bone tissue with comparable quality and quantity. The results of the study reinforce the potential of the biomimetic tri-layered scaffold to repair joint defects
but failed to demonstrate a clear benefit from the addition of the CC/FPMSC co-culture to this scaffold. Taking into consideration the additional cost and complexity associated with the cell-seeded scaffold approach, this
study demonstrates that the treatment of osteochondral defects using cell-free tri-layered scaffolds may represent
a more prudent clinical approach