J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2007 Jul;34(4):413-419.

Effect of cultured chondrocyte-seeded chondroitin-sulfate conjugated type I collagen scaffold on cartilage regeneration

• Lim JJ
• Son D
• Sohn K
• Yang E
• Han K

Abstract

PURPOSE: In this study, porous type I collagen scaffolds were cross-linked using dehydrothermal(DHT) treatment and/or 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide(EDC), in the presence and absence of chondroitin-6-sulfate(CS) and cultured autologous chondrocytes(Chondro) for cartilage regeneration.
METHODS
Cartilage defects were created in the proximal part of the ear of New Zealand rabbits. Four prepared types of scaffolds(n=4) were inserted. The groups included Chondro-Collagen-DHT(Group 1), Chondro- Collagen-DHT-EDC(Group 2), Chondro-CS-Collagen- DHT(Group 3), and Chondro-CS-Collagen-DHT-EDC (Group 4). Histomorphometric analysis and cartilage- specific gene expression of the reconstructed tissues were evaluated 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation .
RESULTS
EDC cross-linked groups 2 and 4 regenerated more cartilage than other groups. However, calcification was observed in the 4th week after implantation. CS did not increase chondrogenesis in all groups. Cartilage-specific type II collagen mRNA expression increased in the course of time in all groups.
CONCLUSION
EDC cross-linking methods maintain the scaffold and promote extracellular matrix production of chondrocytes.

Keyword

Collagen type I; Chondrocytes; Chondroitin sulfates

MeSH Terms

Cartilage*
Chondrocytes
Chondrogenesis
Chondroitin Sulfates
Collagen Type I*
Collagen Type II
Ear
Extracellular Matrix
Gene Expression
Rabbits
Regeneration*
RNA, Messenger
Chondroitin Sulfates
Collagen Type I
Collagen Type II
RNA, Messenger