Objective To investigate the possibility of sheep joint cartilage defect repair with tissue engineered cartilage constructed by using porous bioceramics as scaffold and TGF-β induced autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) as seed cell. Methods In the experimental group(n=12), autologous MSCs were isolated and expanded in vitro and then implanted into the pre molded porous β-TCP; the cell β-TCP complex was implanted into sheep right humeral cartilage defect. The defects in β-TCP (n= 12) group were repaired by B-TCP only, while defects in the control group (n= 4) were left un-repaired. Samples were extracted 12 and 24 weeks after operation for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. Results　In the experimental group, cartilage-like tissue formation could be seen on the surface of the implants. Microscopic analysis demonstrated obvious degradation of B-TCP and extensive new cartilage formation 12 weeks after operation, containing rich extracellularmatrix. The cells were stained positively with type II collagen. The bioceramics had almo st completely been degraded and abundant cartilage formation could be seen in the whole defects 24 weeks later. In the B-TCP group, marginal cartilage ingrowth could be seen 12 weeks after operation and the number of chondrocytes increasedmarkedly after 24wee s. However, no cartilage can be found in the middle of the material. In the control group, only a small quantity of new cartilage formation could be seen
along the margin of defects. Conclusion　It is feasible to generate tissue engineered cartilage with porous B-TCP and auto logousM SCs for cartilage defect repair.

Citation： GUO Xi min,WANG Chang yong,BO Bin,et al.. CONSTRUCTION OF TISSUE ENGINEEREN ARTICULAR CARTILAGE BASED ON AUTOLOGOUS BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AND β-TCP. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003, 17(2): 147-151. doi: Copy