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Cell-based treatment of osteochondral defects in the rabbit knee with natural and synthetic matrices: cellular seeding determines the outcome

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Abstract

Introduction: Matrix-associated transplantation of cartilage constructs is an appealing method in cartilage repair. Three different matrices seeded with allogenic chondrocytes were compared in an osteochondral defect model in the rabbit. An investigation was conducted to identify the best matrix for cell-based treatment of osteochondral defects in the rabbit knee joint. Materials and methods: Osteochondral defects (diameter 3 mm) were created in the trochlea and the femoral condyles of 33 New Zealand White rabbits, which were then treated with bioartificial cartilage constructs. The cartilage constructs were created in vitro using three different resorbable carrier materials (two fleece matrices: one of PLLA, and one composite of polydioxanon/polyglactin, as well as one consisting of lyophilized dura) cultured with isolated allogenic chondrocytes. The defects were evaluated macroscopically, by histological and immunhistological techniques, and by scanning electron microscopy after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The chondrocyte-seeded constructs were compared to defects treated with carrier material alone as well as to untreated control defects. Results: There was a significant improvement in defect repair quality in the transport materials, which were cultured with chondrocytes prior to implantation (P<0.0005). No significant differences were observed between the three carrier matrices, and no significant differences were seen between the unseeded matrices and the untreated control defects. Conclusion: There is no difference in the outcome between the three tested matrices in the treatment of osteochondral defects in the rabbit knee. The results of this in vitro experiment are promising and with refinement may lead to useful clinical therapies.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded in part by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG-Wi 494/14–1) and by the Deutsche Arthrose-Hilfe. We thank Prof. Dr. M. Schünke, Institute of Anatomy, University of Kiel, Germany for his invaluable help in the preparation of the collagen immunohistochemistry and Dr. H. Herrmann, Institute of Biometry, Medical School Hannover, Germany for his help in the statistical analysis. The animal experiments were approved by the ethics commission of the District Government of Lower-Saxony (No. 604-42502-96/835).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Department, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    M. Rudert, M. Hoberg & C. J. Wirth

  2. Orthopädische Klinik Klinikum Ingolstadt, Krumenauerstr. 25, 85049, Ingolstadt, Germany

    U. Wilms

  3. Orthopaedic Department, Hannover Medical School, Heimchenstr. 1–7, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    C. J. Wirth

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  1. M. Rudert
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Correspondence to M. Rudert.

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Rudert, M., Wilms, U., Hoberg, M. et al. Cell-based treatment of osteochondral defects in the rabbit knee with natural and synthetic matrices: cellular seeding determines the outcome. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 125, 598–608 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-005-0008-2

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