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Cartilage repair with chondrocytes in fibrin hydrogel and MPEG polylactide scaffold: an in vivo study in goats

  • Experimental Study
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Polylactic acid polymers have been used extensively as biomaterials and have shown promising properties for cartilage tissue engineering. Numerous scaffold materials exist and the optimal scaffold needs to be identified. We have tried to assess the possibilities for cartilage repair by the use of two different scaffold techniques; autologous chondrocytes in a fibrin hydrogel and a novel MPEG-PLGA scaffold, where autologous chondrocytes are immobilized within the MPEG-PLGA scaffold by a fibrin hydrogel. Twenty adult goats were used for the study. A 6 mm circular full-thickness cartilage defect was created in both medial femoral condyles. The defects were randomized to the following four treatment groups. (1) Empty defect (control). (2) Subchondral drilling (control). (3) Fibrin hydrogel with autologous chondrocytes. (4) Fibrin hydrogel/chondrocyte solution in a MPEG-PLGA porous scaffold. Animals were followed for 4 month. Eight defects in each treatment group completed the study. ICRS macroscopic scoring (0–12). Indentation test was performed to assess stiffness of repair tissue. Histological analyses was performed using O’Driscoll and Pineda cartilage scores as well as percentage tissue filling of the defects. The MPEG-PLGA/chondrocytes scaffold was the superior treatment modality based on the macroscopic surface score, histological scores and defect filling. The mechanical test demonstrated no difference between treatment groups. The MPEG-PLGA/chondrocyte composite demonstrated significantly better cartilage repair response than empty defects, osteochondral drilling and fibrin hydrogel with chondrocytes. The novel MPEG-PLGA scaffold in combination with chondrocytes need further studies with respect to longer follow-up times.

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Acknowledgments

The present study was supported by The Danish Reumatism Association, The Obel Foundation, Denmark. The Orthopedic Research Foundation at Aalborg Hospital, Denmark and Interface Biotech, Denmark.

Conflict of interest statement

Allan Larsen and Martin Lind have received funds as scientific consultants for Interface Biotech. Interface Biotech did not collect data, interpret data or were involved in the writing of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sportstrauma Clinic, University Hospital of Aarhus, Tage Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark

    Martin Lind

  2. Artros Clinic Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark

    Allan Larsen

  3. Interface Biotech A/S, Denmark, Hørsholm, Denmark

    Christian Clausen & Kurt Osther

  4. Coloplast Research A/S, Humlebæk, Denmark

    Hanne Everland

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  1. Martin Lind
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  2. Allan Larsen
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Correspondence to Martin Lind.

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Lind, M., Larsen, A., Clausen, C. et al. Cartilage repair with chondrocytes in fibrin hydrogel and MPEG polylactide scaffold: an in vivo study in goats. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 16, 690–698 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0522-1

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