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Long-Term Evaluation of Allogenic Chondrocyte-Loaded PVA–PCL IPN Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Repair in Rabbits

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Abstract

Objective

This study tested the long-term efficacy of two synthetic scaffolds for osteochondral defects and compare the outcomes with that of an established technique that uses monolayer cultured chondrocytes in a rabbit model.

Methods

Articular cartilage defect was created in both knees of 18 rabbits and divided into three groups of six in each. The defects in first group receiving cells loaded on Scaffold A (polyvinyl alcohol–polycaprolactone semi-interpenetrating polymer network (Monophasic, PVA–PCL semi-IPN), the second on Scaffold B (biphasic, PVA–PCL incorporated with bioglass as the lower layer), and the third group received chondrocytes alone. One animal from each group was sacrificed at 2 months and the rest at 1 year. O’Driscoll’s score measured the quality of cartilage repair.

Results

The histological outcome had good scores (22, 20, and 19) for all three groups at 2 months. At 1-year follow-up, the chondrocyte alone group had the best scores (mean 20.0 ± 1.4), while the group treated by PVA–PCL semi-IPN scaffolds fared better (mean 15 ± 4.2) than the group that received biphasic scaffolds (mean 11.8 ± 5.9). In all three groups, defects treated without cells scored less than the transplant.

Conclusion

These results indicate that while these scaffolds with chondrocytes perform well initially, their late outcome is disappointing. We propose that for all scaffold-based tissue repairs, a long-term evaluation should be mandatory. The slow degrading scaffolds need further modifications to improve the milieu for long-term growth of chondrocytes and their hyaline phenotype for the better incorporation of tissue-engineered constructs.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Fluid Research grand (IRB Mins no: 7111 in favor of VD) from Christian Medical College, Vellore.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, India

    Karthikeyan Rajagopal, Vivek Dutt, B. Balakumar, Sanjay K. Chilbule & Vrisha Madhuri

  2. Department of Forensic Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, India

    Noel Walter

  3. Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies Division, BMT Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Poojapura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695011, India

    Prabha D. Nair

  4. Center for Stem Cell Research (a Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, India

    Karthikeyan Rajagopal & Vrisha Madhuri

Authors
  1. Karthikeyan Rajagopal
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  2. Vivek Dutt
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  3. B. Balakumar
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  4. Sanjay K. Chilbule
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  5. Noel Walter
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  6. Prabha D. Nair
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  7. Vrisha Madhuri
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Contributions

VM: Study design, analysis of data, gross examination of tissue, supervised the study, preparation of manuscript, and reviewed the manuscript. KR: Preparation of chondrocyte for transplantation, animal anesthesia, animal post-operation care, data analysis, and final manuscript preparation for journal communication. VD: Study design, carried out the animal surgery, data analysis, and preparation of manuscript. BB: Carried out the animal surgery and preparation of the manuscript. SKC: Assisted during the animal sacrifice. NW: Histopathology scoring, gross examination, and critically reviewed the manuscript. PDN: Design and developed the scaffold and reviewed the manuscript. All seven authors participated in this study and their contribution was essential to successfully complete this study.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vrisha Madhuri.

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Conflict of interest

All the authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical statement

This study was conducted after obtaining approval from the institutional review board, Christian Medical College, Vellore (IRB No: 7111), and the experimentation on rabbits were performed after institutional animal ethics committee (IAEC No: 07/2010) clearance.

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For this type of study informed consent is not required.

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Rajagopal, K., Dutt, V., Balakumar, B. et al. Long-Term Evaluation of Allogenic Chondrocyte-Loaded PVA–PCL IPN Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Repair in Rabbits. JOIO 55, 853–860 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-020-00290-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-020-00290-5

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