藻酸钠微球三维立体培养恢复去分化软骨细胞表型的实验研究

[目的] 研究在连续体外单层培养条件下不同接种密度对大鼠关节软骨细胞分化状态的影响,并探讨藻酸钠微球三维立体培养恢复去分化关节软骨细胞表型的调节机制.[方法]以正常密度(3×10<,4>/cm<'2>)或低密度(3×10<'2>/cm<'2>)分别连续体外单层传代培养大鼠膝关节软骨细胞使其去分化,RT-PCR检测Ⅰ、Ⅱ型胶原和聚集蛋白聚糖mRNA的表达以确定其分化状态.取正常密度培养时的去分化软骨细胞,藻酸钠微球包被4周以恢复其表型,在该立体培养过程中将特异的SIRT1抑制剂-EX-527加入到培养基中抑制其表达,甲苯胺兰染色微球中软骨细胞分泌的细胞外基质,Western blot检测各种条件下SIRT1和Sox-9的表达.[结果] 当以正常密度连续体外单层培养时,软骨细胞在第4代发生去分化,低密度时于第1代即明显去分化,此时SIRT1和Sox9表达明显降低.藻酸钠微球三维立体培养能显著地增强去分化软骨细胞中Ⅱ型胶原、聚集蛋白聚镛mRNA以及SIRT1、Sox9蛋白的表达,同时降低Ⅰ型胶原mRNA的表达.EX-527不仅限制藻酸钠微球中的软骨细胞周围细胞外基质的大量生成而且还抑制了SIRT1和Sox9的表达.[结论]关节软骨细胞连续体外单层培养的去分化与细胞接种密度有关,低密度培养加速去分化过程.藻酸钠微球三维立体培养恢复去分化关节软骨细胞表型的作用可能是通过细胞-细胞、细胞-细胞外基质间的相互作用,从而激活SIRT1的表达,继而增强Sox9的转录活性来实现.     

去分化关节软骨细胞生物反应器培养反分化的实验研究

目的 观察体外经传代培养去分化的成人关节软骨细胞，在生物反应器培养后生物学性状的变化，探索去分化软骨细胞反分化的手段，为软骨细胞移植修复关节软骨缺损建立合适的体外培养方法。方法 无菌条件下取成人关节软骨组织，Ⅱ型胶原酶消化法（0．2％，37C，3h）分离软骨细胞，分成两组：一组常规单层传代培养，另一组添加重组人的生长因子（1ng／ml转化生长因子β1＋5ng／ml成纤维细胞生长因子2）体外培养传代大量扩增后，无微载体生物反应器内培养3周。血小板计数器行细胞计数，计算各代细胞倍增时间；细胞爬片和石蜡、冰冻切片进行HE、蕃红O、阿利新蓝染色，Ⅰ、Ⅱ型胶原和aggrecan免疫组织化学检测，观察细胞表型变化。结果 成人关节软骨细胞体外培养3代后迅速去分化，增殖缓慢。添加生长因子培养细胞去分化速度减缓；传10代，细胞扩增2000倍以上，部分去分化，但细胞扩增增殖能力仍很强；传20代软骨细胞表型基本丢失，但仍有增殖能力；置于生物反应器继续培养3周，细胞番红O染色强阳性、aggrecan和Ⅱ型胶原阳性，Ⅰ型胶原阴性，表型恢复良好。结论 软骨细胞在体外大量扩增后，在生物反应器培养，可恢复其表型，可望用于在体外培养时去分化软骨细胞的再分化。     

采用自体成熟关节软骨细胞的软骨组织工程修复

目的探讨使成熟软骨细胞转化成代谢活跃、增殖迅速的再生软骨祖细胞，而后利用这种细胞构建自体源性工程组织，修复成熟关节软骨的缺损。方法成熟兔关节软骨细胞进行普通单层培养和转化生长因子(TGF)-β1、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)联合诱导培养。培养细胞进行细胞计数、Ⅱ型胶原免疫组织化学染色和逆转录一聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测。将诱导培养的再生软骨祖细胞与聚乳酸载体(PDLLA)一道构建自体源性工程软骨，修复成熟关节软骨缺损。修复组织进行组织形态学和免疫组织化学研究。结果研究发现成熟关节软骨细胞在体外单层培养中增殖缓慢。而联合TGF-β1、bFGF诱导培养可促进成熟软骨细胞的增殖，10d内细胞增殖189倍。标准单层培养4～5代细胞经密集培养不表达Ⅱ型胶原。而联合细胞因子诱导培养6代的细胞在体外密集培养下，可很快恢复Ⅱ型胶原的表达。利用再生软骨祖细胞构建的自体源性工程软骨可修复软骨缺损。修复组织表达Ⅱ型胶原。结论成熟关节软骨细胞经TGF-β和bFGF联合诱导培养可形成再生软骨祖细胞，此细胞可用于构建自体源性工程组织，修复成熟关节软骨的缺损。     

胶原凝胶包埋软骨细胞接种CPPf/PLLA支架体外构建组织工程软骨

目的：探讨软骨细胞均匀、高效种植于三维支架的细胞接种方法。方法：将胶原凝胶包埋的软骨细胞整合入CPPf／PLLA三维支架并进行体外培养，细胞计数检测细胞粘附情况，倒置显微镜观察细胞在支架内分布的均一性，组织形态学检测细胞-胶原凝胶-支架复合物形成软骨组织的情况。结果：超过90％的种植细胞能有效、均匀种植于CPPf／PLLA支架，体外培养3周的复合物能形成较成熟的工程化软骨组织。结论：胶原凝胶包埋软骨细胞三维接种能有效提高组织工程软骨的体外构建质量，同时结合了两种材料的优势。     

羊软骨细胞在生物反应器中的培养和扩增

[目的]探索在旋转生物反应器内，应用微载体技术快速扩增分化良好的羊软骨细胞的方法。[方法]将培养的羊软骨细胞应用Cytodex-3微载体在旋转生物反应器（RCSS）内，进行动态培养，应用倒置显微镜对微载体表面的软骨细胞进行动态观察，并对收获的软骨细胞进行Ⅰ、Ⅱ型胶原的细胞免疫化学染色分析。[结果]关节软骨细胞于1d内贴附于Cytodex-3微载体表面，细胞初期为圆球形、半球形凸起，逐渐向周围伸展，随时间的延长，贴附于微载体的细胞逐渐增多，到培养后期，细胞密度可达最初接种的15～17倍，在微载体上收获的软骨细胞经Ⅰ型胶原的免疫细胞化学染色呈阴性，Ⅱ型胶原染色则呈强阳性。[结论]利用微载体细胞培养技术可简便快速地在体外扩增羊软骨细胞，可为构建组织工程化人工软骨提供大量活性、分化良好的软骨细胞。     

骺板软骨细胞复合三维支架体外构建组织工程软骨的研究

目的探讨将骺板软骨细胞复合三维支架经体外培养,构建组织工程软骨的效果及其生物学特点. 方法将3周龄幼兔第1代骺板软骨细胞与液态的生物凝胶混合,接种于聚磷酸钙纤维/L-聚乳酸(CPPF/PLLA)三维支架材料,构建组织工程软骨组织块,连续培养4周.行大体、倒置显微镜及组织学、Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型胶原免疫组织化学光镜观察,定量检测硫酸糖胺多糖(GAG)含量. 结果构建的组织工程软骨块在培养过程中能保持其初始外形,种子细胞呈稳定的三维均相分布,外观逐渐呈乳白色、半透明,硬度亦不断增加.培养1周有软骨细胞陷窝形成,2周后形成富含Ⅱ型胶原和蛋白聚糖、具有典型软骨组织结构的工程化软骨,且Ⅰ型胶原逐渐转为阴性.4周时构建软骨的组织结构与天然骺板软骨相类似,硫酸GAG含量平均为天然骺板软骨的34%以上. 结论骺板软骨细胞复合三维支架体外培养可生成典型软骨,且可形成类似天然骺板软骨的组织结构,能满足修复骺板缺损的基本要求.体外培养1～2周可能是植入体内修复骺板缺损的较佳时机.     

聚磷酸钙纤维／左旋聚乳酸软骨支架复合自体骨髓间充质干细胞构建组织工程化人工关节软骨

目的：应用组织工程学技术,体外初步构建组织工程化人工关节软骨。方法：制备三维多孔软骨支架材料CPP／PLLA,体外诱导兔MSCs向软骨细胞表型分化,免疫组织化学染色检测软骨特异性Ⅱ型胶原表达,将诱导细胞与软骨支架材料CPP／PLLA复合,体外培养构建人工关节软骨,1周后终止培养,扫描电镜观察组织工程化人工软骨的微观结构;同时将构建人工软骨移植于兔大腿皮下,3周后处死动物,甲苯胺蓝染色观察。结果：扫描电镜观察可见该复合材料CPP／PLLA为高孔隙率的网状、连通、微孔结构,微孔分布均匀,孔径大小为300～400μm之间;兔MSCs经体外软骨表型定向诱导后,Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色阳性。诱导后的MSCs可在支架材料内良好贴附生长,细胞被分泌的胶原基质包裹;从体内获取的培养物组织切片观察可见大量的软骨细胞生成,甲苯胺蓝染色阳性。结论：经软骨起源诱导后的MSCs与CPP／PLLA复合培养可以构建自体软骨移植的替代物,为应用软骨组织工程方法修复关节软骨缺损和功能重建提供一种新材料,具有较大的潜在应用价值。     

聚磷酸钙纤维和左旋聚乳酸软骨支架复合自体骨髓间充质干细胞构建组织工程化人工关节软骨

目的应用组织工程学技术，体外初步构建组织工程化人工关节软骨。方法制备三维多孔软骨支架材料CPP／PLLA，体外诱导兔MSCs向软骨细胞表型分化，免疫组织化学染色检测软骨特异性Ⅱ型胶原表达，将诱导细胞与软骨支架材料CPP／PLLA复合，体外培养构建人工关节软骨，1周后终止培养，扫描电镜观察组织工程化人工软骨的微观结构；同时将构建人工软骨移植于兔大腿皮下，3周后处死动物，甲苯胺蓝染色观察。结果扫描电镜观察可见该复合材料CPP／PLLA为高孔隙率的网状、连通、微孔结构，微孔分布均匀，孔径大小为300～400Ⅳn之间；兔MSCs经体外软骨表型定向诱导后，Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色阳性。诱导后的MSCs可在支架材料内良好贴附生长，细胞被分泌的胶原基质包裹；从体内获取的培养物组织切片观察可见大量的软骨细胞生成，甲苯胺蓝染色阳性。结论经软骨起源诱导后的MSCs与CPP／PLLA复合培养可以构建自体软骨移植的替代物，为应用软骨组织工程方法修复关节软骨缺损和功能重建提供一种新材料，具有较大的潜在应用价值。     

模拟微重力环境下层状修复体与软骨细胞复合培养的实验研究

[目的]探讨模拟微重力作为软骨组织工程培养方法的作用和胶原/壳聚糖/β-磷酸三钙(trical ciumphosphate,TCP)层状梯度修复体作为关节软骨组织工程支架的可行性.[方法]体外培养新西兰大白兔关节软骨细胞并扩增,吸附于多孔胶原/壳聚糖/β-磷酸三钙层状梯度修复体上,模拟微重力和普通环境下三维立体分别培养3周,通过生长曲线、倒置相差显微镜、组织学、扫描电镜及免疫组织化学检测微重力对软骨细胞培养的影响和支架在三维立体培养对软骨细胞的表型、增殖及功能的影响.[结果]软骨细胞/修复体体外培养3周,软骨细胞模拟微重力培养组明显比普通培养组在层状修复体上分布均匀,修复体中心软骨细胞数量明显较多,并分泌细胞基质,包裹在软骨细胞周围,Ⅱ型胶原免疫组织化学染色阳性.[结论]模拟微重力环境有利于软骨细胞在三维支架上的均匀增殖,有望成为软骨组织工程中的一种重要培养方法;胶原/壳聚糖/β-磷酸三钙层状梯度修复体,细胞相容性良好,有望成为一种比较理想的关节软骨组织工程支架材料.     

TGF-β1缓释载体体外构建组织工程软骨

目的制备负载TGF—β1壳聚糖缓释微球的三维多孔壳聚糖支架，检测TGF—β1缓释载体对软骨细胞功能的影响．方法乳化交联法制备TGF—β1壳聚糖缓释微球并将其与壳聚糖支架复合，检测其体外降解并通过ELISA法检测微球的载药、释药性能。将软骨细胞置于复合载体中立体培养，通过苏木素伊红染色、Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色、扫描电镜观察复合载体对细胞的增殖、功能的影响。结果缓释微球的TGF—β1包封率达90．1％，并具有良好的药物缓释性能，软骨细胞在复合载体中增殖良好，并能够保持其表型及Ⅱ型胶原分泌功能。结论负载TGF—β1壳聚糖缓释微球的壳聚糖支架作为软骨细胞的载体在组织工程软骨的构建及软骨损伤的修复中有良好的应用前景。     

Adult human articular chondrocytes in a microcarrier‐based culture system: expansion and redifferentiation

Expanding human chondrocytes in vitro while maintaining their ability to form cartilage remains a key challenge in cartilage tissue engineering. One promising approach to address this is to use microcarriers as substrates for chondrocyte expansion. While microcarriers have shown beneficial effects for expansion of animal and ectopic human chondrocytes, their utility has not been determined for freshly isolated adult human articular chondrocytes. Thus, we investigated the proliferation and subsequent chondrogenic differentiation of these clinically relevant cells on porous gelatin microcarriers and compared them to those expanded using traditional monolayers. Chondrocytes attached to microcarriers within 2 days and remained viable over 4 weeks of culture in spinner flasks. Cells on microcarriers exhibited a spread morphology and initially proliferated faster than cells in monolayer culture, however, with prolonged expansion they were less proliferative. Cells expanded for 1 month and enzymatically released from microcarriers formed cartilaginous tissue in micromass pellet cultures, which was similar to tissue formed by monolayer‐expanded cells. Cells left attached to microcarriers did not exhibit chondrogenic capacity. Culture conditions, such as microcarrier material, oxygen tension, and mechanical stimulation require further investigation to facilitate the efficient expansion of clinically relevant human articular chondrocytes that maintain chondrogenic potential for cartilage regeneration applications. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:539–546, 2011     

Redifferentiation of dedifferentiated joint cartilage cells in alginate culture. Effect of intermittent hydrostatic pressure and low oxygen partial pressure

One of the goals in the field of tissue engineering is the development of artificial cartilage for the treatment of cartilage defects. Therefore autologous chondrocytes are seeded on different artificial matrices to test their possible use as implants (resorption, antigenicity, toxicity and their integration in the tissue). One of the main problems in these experiments is that usually the amount of available chondrocytes is too low for treating large-scale defects or for comparing different matrices. An in-vitro-multiplication of the cells is needed which causes the chondrocytes to dedifferentiate and become fibroblast-like. Therefore parameters which induce a redifferentiation are of great interest. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of intermittent hydrostatic pressure and low oxygen partial pressure on the redifferentiation of dedifferentiated bovine articular chondrocytes in monolayer and three-dimensional alginate bead culture. The redifferentiation process was monitored by immunocytochemical detection of newly synthesized collagen type II. The viability of the cells was determined by the trypanblue exclusion test. The chondrocytes were dedifferentiated by a two week culture in plastic flasks with an oxygen level of 20%. After this they were subcultured in monolayer or three-dimensional alginate culture and subjected to three different stimuli for three weeks in order to redifferentiate: 1.) 20% O2 (= 20.26 kPa PO2) + 5% CO2 + 75% N2; 2.) 5% O2 (= 5.07 kPa PO2) + 5% CO2 + 90% N2; 3.) 5% O2 (= 5.07 kPa PO2) + 5% CO2 + 90% N2 + 8 h/d of intermittent hydrostatic pressure (frequency: 3 bar absolute for 30 min and 1 bar absolute for 2 min). In the monolayer there was no detectable collagen type II found by immunocytochemistry under either of the three culture conditions. Therefore a redifferentiation of dedifferentiated chondrocytes was not possible in monolayer cultures with the tested parameters. In the three-dimensional alginate culture there was no immunocytochemical staining of collagen type II found in the beads cultured with 20% oxygen. With 5% oxygen we found a strong collagen type II-production by chondrocytes throughout the whole bead. The intermittent hydrostatic pressure combined with 5% oxygen lead to a decreased collagen type II-production compared to cells subjected to 5% oxygen only. Also chondrocytes closer to the edge of these beads were more often immunopositive and seemed to produce more immunoreactive collagen type II. The viability of the chondrocytes in the alginate culture was close to 90% after three weeks. Our experiments showed that oxygen partial pressure is an important parameter in the cultivation of articular chondrocytes. Reduced partial oxygen pressure promoted or induced the redifferentiation of dedifferentiated chondrocytes in alginate culture.     

Effect of expansion medium on ex vivo gene transfer and chondrogenesis in type II collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds in vitro

OBJECTIVE: Growth factors can profoundly affect the behaviour of chondrocytes during expansion and subsequent growth in three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds. Prolonging such effects has stimulated investigation of the transfer of growth factor genes to chondrocytes. This study evaluated the effects of the monolayer expansion medium on the proliferation and cartilage matrix molecule synthesis of chondrocytes in 3-D pellet culture and in type II collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds, and on ex vivo insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene transfer to articular chondrocytes in monolayer. The possibility of transfecting cells in 3-D culture using CG scaffolds was also investigated and the resulting effect of IGF-1 overexpression on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis in 3-D culture was assessed. METHODS: Two expansion media were compared-one that has been widely used for growing chondrocytes (Medium 1) and one that has been found to increase chondrocyte proliferation rates and preserve the redifferentiation potential of monolayer-expanded chondrocytes when subsequently placed in pellet cultures (Medium 2). Chondrocytes were expanded in monolayer culture and then 1) redifferentiated in 3-D culture, or 2) infected with the IGF-1 gene in monolayer or in type II CG scaffolds. RESULTS: The cell count for first passage chondrocytes was more than 3-fold higher when using Medium 2. In 3-D culture, cells expanded with Medium 2 and seeded in CG scaffolds produced more total GAG/DNA and displayed more intense immunohistochemical staining for collagen type II. Gene transfer and IGF-1 release kinetics from infected cells in monolayer were significantly affected by the composition of the expansion medium, the gene transfer method and time. IGF-1 gene transfer in CG scaffolds resulted in a 35-fold elevation in accumulated IGF-1 released from transfected Medium 2-expanded chondrocytes over controls, and resulted in a 40% increase in accumulated GAG/DNA. CONCLUSION: The composition of the expansion medium significantly affects monolayer proliferation of adult canine chondrocytes, GAG synthesis when the cells are subsequently grown in CG scaffolds, and ex vivo IGF-1 gene transfer.     

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 enhances the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan in chondrocytes embedded in alginate beads

OBJECTIVE: For autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) chondrocytes are expanded in vitro. During expansion these cells may dedifferentiate. This change in phenotype is characterized by a raised expression of type I collagen and a decrease in type II collagen expression. Since high expression of type II collagen is of central importance for the properties of hyaline cartilage, we investigated if the growth factor bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) may modulate the chondrogenic phenotype in monolayer cell cultures and in three-dimensional culture systems. DESIGN: Chondrocytes from articular knee cartilage of 11 individuals (average age: 39.8 years) with no history of joint disease were isolated and seeded either in monolayer cultures or embedded in alginate beads in presence or absence of human recombinant BMP-2 (hr-BMP-2). Then, cells were harvested and analysis of the chondrogenic phenotype was performed using quantitative RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and ELISA. RESULTS: Addition of BMP-2 to chondrocytes expanded in two-dimensional (2D) cultures during the first subculture (P1) had no effect on mRNA amounts encoding type II collagen and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). In contrast, seeding chondrocytes in three-dimensional (3D) alginate cultures raised type II collagen expression significantly and addition of BMP-2 enhanced this effect. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that chondrocytes during expansion for ACT may benefit from BMP-2 activation only when seeded in an appropriate 3D culture system.     

Characterization of human nasal septal chondrocytes cultured in alginate

BACKGROUND: After serial passages in monolayer, chondrocytes dedifferentiate into a fibroblast-like phenotype. Our objective was to determine if culture in alginate affects the phenotype of dedifferentiated human nasal septal chondrocytes. STUDY DESIGN: Human nasal septal chondrocytes were seeded at low density and passaged in monolayer culture. At passages (P) 1, 2, and 3 a portion of cells were cultured in alginate. Collagen, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and DNA production were assessed. RESULTS: Chondrocytes in alginate proliferated less yet produced higher levels of GAG and collagen than those in monolayer culture. Alginate encapsulated P1 chondrocytes stained strongly for GAG and collagen type II, and minimally for collagen type I. Monolayer cells at P0 and P1 stained positively for collagen type II. All monolayer passages stained positive for collagen type I with minimal GAG staining. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with monolayer culture, alginate stimulates deposition of GAG and collagen type II, and supports the chondrocyte phenotype through P1, but does not promote redifferentiation.     

Expansion of chondrocytes for tissue engineering in alginate beads enhances chondrocytic phenotype compared to conventional monolayer techniques

Chondrocytes are known to dedifferentiate when cultured in monolayer culture, which may compromise the efficacy of cartilage repair systems in which cells are expanded by repeat passage in monolayer prior to implantation. We tested the hypothesis that repeat passage in alginate beads can provide sufficient expansion of cells, while producing cells with enhanced chondrocytic phenotype. Bovine articular chondrocytes were seeded in 2% alginate beads or in monolayer. 4 passages at 7-day intervals were performed. Values of 9.1 days for monolayer expansion and 12.5 days for alginate expansion were estimated for a 10-fold increase in cell number. For assessment of chondrocytic and fibroblastic phenotype, expanded cells were seeded in alginate beads or on glass coverslips and cultured for 7 days. On subsequent seeding in alginate, cells which had previously been subcultured in alginate showed higher levels of both DNA and GAG synthesis than cells passaged in monolayer. Furthermore, the alginate-passaged cells retained a chondrocytic phenotype, indicated by synthesis of type II collagen and chondroitin-6-sulphate, while cells passaged in monolayer synthesised type I collagen, indicating a fibroblastic phenotype. In conclusion, expansion of cells for autologous cartilage repair systems, using subculture within alginate beads, provides a potentially attractive alternative to monolayer expansion.     

Expansion of chondrocytes for tissue engineering in alginate beads enhances chondrocytic phenotype compared to conventional monolayer techniques

Chondrocytes are known to dedifferentiate when cultured in monolayer culture, which may compromise the efficacy of cartilage repair systems in which cells are expanded by repeat passage in monolayer prior to implantation. We tested the hypothesis that repeat passage in alginate beads can provide sufficient expansion of cells, while producing cells with enhanced chondrocytic phenotype. Bovine articular chondrocytes were seeded in 2% alginate beads or in monolayer. 4 passages at 7-day intervals were performed. Values of 9.1 days for monolayer expansion and 12.5 days for alginate expansion were estimated for a 10-fold increase in cell number. For assessment of chondrocytic and fibroblastic phenotype, expanded cells were seeded in alginate beads or on glass coverslips and cultured for 7 days. On subsequent seeding in alginate, cells which had previously been subcultured in alginate showed higher levels of both DNA and GAG synthesis than cells passaged in monolayer. Furthermore, the alginate-passaged cells retained a chondrocytic phenotype, indicated by synthesis of type II collagen and chondroitin-6-sulphate, while cells passaged in monolayer synthesised type I collagen, indicating a fibroblastic phenotype. In conclusion, expansion of cells for autologous cartilage repair systems, using subculture within alginate beads, provides a potentially attractive alternative to monolayer expansion.     

Expansion of chondrocytes in a three-dimensional matrix for tracheal tissue engineering

Background

The generation of autologous tracheal implants by tissue-engineering techniques is a promising concept for otherwise untreatable patients. A functional cartilaginous backbone represents a prerequisite for any bioartificial tracheal graft. The aim of this study was to define suitable cell types and culture conditions for the generation of tracheal cartilage.

Methods

We obtained tracheal, costal, and auricular cartilage from porcine donor animals (n = 10). The chondrocytes were cultured two-dimensionally in cell flasks or mixed with a liquid collagen solution forming a three-dimensional culture system. Labeling with carboxy fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA SE) and biochemical reduction of formazan served to determine cell viability and proliferation. The extracellular matrix produced by the chondrocytes was characterized by Western blot.

Results

The CFDA SE labeling proved viability and the MTT assays documented a proliferation of the chondrocytes over time in vitro. While the chondrocytes in the three-dimensional cell culture system produced hyaline cartilage composed of collagen II, the two-dimensional culture conditions resulted in nonspecific collagen synthesis.

Conclusions

Chondrocytes grown in a three-dimensional matrix can effectively proliferate and produce cartilage and are viable for more than 2 weeks. Costal chondrocytes are suitable for tracheal cartilage tissue engineering.     

Expansion of chondrocytes for tissue engineering in alginate beads enhances chondrocytic phenotype compared to conventional monolayer techniques

Chondrocytes are known to dedifferentiate when cultured in monolayer culture, which may compromise the efficacy of cartilage repair systems in which cells are expanded by repeat passage in monolayer prior to implantation. We tested the hypothesis that repeat passage in alginate beads can provide sufficient expansion of cells, while producing cells with enhanced chondrocytic phenotype. Bovine articular chondrocytes were seeded in 2% alginate beads or in monolayer. 4 passages at 7-day intervals were performed. Values of 9.1 days for monolayer expansion and 12.5 days for alginate expansion were estimated for a 10-fold increase in cell number. For assessment of chondrocytic and fibroblastic phenotype, expanded cells were seeded in alginate beads or on glass coverslips and cultured for 7 days. On subsequent seeding in alginate, cells which had previously been subcultured in alginate showed higher levels of both DNA and GAG synthesis than cells passaged in monolayer. Furthermore, the alginate-passaged cells retained a chondrocytic phenotype, indicated by synthesis of type II collagen and chondroitin-6-sulphate, while cells passaged inmonolayer synthesised type I collagen, indicating a fibroblastic phenotype. In conclusion, expansion of cells for autologous cartilage repair systems, using subculture within alginate beads, provides a potentially attractive alternative to monolayer expansion.