Objective To observe the efficiency and biological characteristics in regenerating in vitro tissue-engineered cartilage from epiphyseal chondrocyte-scaffold complex. MethodsThe first passage epiphyseal chondrocytes were collected and mixed with the biological gel-matrix, the chondrocyte-gel fluid wasdropped into the scaffold to form a complex. The complexes were in vitro cultivated. The changes of complexes in morphology and synthesis of collagens type ⅡandtypeⅠ and aggrecan were observed under the gross and the inverted and light microscopes. The sulfate GAG content in complexes was measured by the the modified dimethylmethylene blue method. Results During cultivation, the
complexes could keep its original shape with the stable homogeneous three-dimensional distribution of chondrocytes，gradually became milk white and translucence with their rigidity increasing. In the 1st week, the chondrocytic lacunae formed in the complexes. After 2 weeks, the complex was gradually reorganized into the mature engineered cartilage with rich collagen typeⅡand aggrecan and typical cartilage histological structure, but with negative immunological staining of collagen typeⅠ. In the 4th week, the engineered cartilage resembled the nature epiphyseal plate in the characteristic of histological structure, and had over 34% of the sulfate GAG content of the natural epiphyseal plate. Conclusion Theepiphyseal chondrocyte-scaffold complex can be reorganized into typical cartilage with the epiphyseallike histological structure, and be fit for repairing the epiphyseal defect. The tissue engineered cartilage cultivated for 1-2 weeks may be a good choice for repairing epiphyseal defect.

Citation： ZHOU Qiang,LI Qihong,DAI Gang.. CHONDROGENESIS IN VITRO BY EPIPHYSEAL CHONDROCYTES SEEDING INTO THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCAFFOLDS. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2004, 18(2): 92-92. doi: Copy