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Influence of hepatocyte growth factor on autologous osteochondral transplants in an animal model

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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Several studies have investigated the influence of different growth factors on hyaline cartilage regeneration. In a rabbit model, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was proven to increase the amount of hyaline-like chondrocytes in a mixed fibro-cartilaginous regenerate of small defects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether intra-articular administration of HGF influences the ingrowth of osteochondral grafts in a sheep model.

Type of study

Animal experiment.

Methods

Both knee joints of eight sheep were opened surgically and osteochondral grafts were harvested and simultaneously transplanted to the opposite condyle of the same joint. The sheep were divided into two groups of four sheep, resulting in 16 grafts per group. In one group, HGF was administered by bilateral intra-articular injections given three times a week for 4 weeks. The control group received isotonic sodium chloride injections. The animals were killed after 3 months.

Results

Histological evaluation showed a complete ingrowth of the osseous part of the osteochondral grafts. A healing or ingrowth at the level of the cartilage could not be observed. Histological evaluation of the transplanted grafts according to the modified Mankin score revealed less degeneration in the cartilage of the HGF group, as compared to the control group. In the HGF group, less cloning of chondrocytes and less irregularities of the articular surface were observed. Importantly, no deleterious effects, such as osteophyte formation, cartilage thickening or synovial proliferation, were found.

Conclusion

HGF positively influenced the cellularity of the transplanted osteochondral graft, but could not diminish the fissures in the marginal zone of the grafts.

Clinical relevance

Marginal zone fissures and degeneration in the absence of HGF may undermine long-term results of autologous osteochondral grafts.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Ms C. Kemming for expert technical assistance.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors received any financial support for this study and no author has any financial interest in the topic of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. sporthopaedicum Straubing, Bahnhofplatz 8, 94315, Straubing, Germany

    Carsten O. Tibesku

  2. Department for Orthopaedic and Tumororthopaedic, University Hospital Muenster, Münster, Germany

    Kiriakos Daniilidis

  3. Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Biomineralisation working group, University Hospital Münster, University Muenster, Münster, Germany

    T. Szuwart

  4. Department of Anaesthesiology, Helios Klinikum, Bad Saarow, Germany

    U. R. Jahn

  5. Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Münster, Germany

    P. M. Schlegel

  6. Department of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    S. Fuchs-Winkelmann

Authors
  1. Carsten O. Tibesku
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  2. Kiriakos Daniilidis
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  3. T. Szuwart
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  4. U. R. Jahn
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  5. P. M. Schlegel
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  6. S. Fuchs-Winkelmann
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carsten O. Tibesku.

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Tibesku, C.O., Daniilidis, K., Szuwart, T. et al. Influence of hepatocyte growth factor on autologous osteochondral transplants in an animal model. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131, 1145–1151 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1281-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1281-x

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