Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on proliferation and chondroitin sulfate synthesis of cultured chondrocytes embedded in Atelocollagen gel.

The effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) on the proliferation and chondroitin sulfate synthesis of cultured chondrocytes embedded in Atelocollagen gel in vitro were examined. Articular cartilage was harvested from the hip, knee, and shoulder joints of 10-week-old Japanese white rabbits. Chondrocytes isolated by collagenase digestion were embedded in type I collagen gel, Atelocollagen gel, and were cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium for 3 weeks. The US apparatus, SAFHS, was used to deliver an ultrasound signal with spatial and temporal average intensities of 30 mW/cm(2) (US group). The frequency was 1.5 MHz with a 200-microsecond tone burst repeated at 1.0 kHz. US treatments were administered for 20 min per day under culture dishes, with the medium replaced twice a week. Another group of cells was exposed to sham ultrasound as a control. Cell number, histological findings, synthesis of isomers of chondroitin sulfate, and stiffness of the chondrocyte-collagen gel composites were analyzed. US exposure promoted synthesis of chondroitin sulfate, especially chondroitin 6-sulfate, although it did not significantly enhance cell number and stiffness. In this three-dimensional culture model, these results suggest that US exposure may be clinically useful in improving the quality of chondrocyte-Atelocollagen implants for transplantation into articular cartilage defects.     

Perfusion increases cell content and matrix synthesis in chondrocyte three-dimensional cultures

This work examines the effect of perfusion on the cell content and sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis of ovine articular chondrocytes cultured on polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds. Ovine chondrocytes were seeded onto the scaffolds and cultured for up to 9 days. During this time the cells were subjected to perfusion at velocities of up to 170 microm/s. The samples were radiolabeled with (35)SO(4) to quantify the overall synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (S-GAGs) and the retention of S-GAGs in the construct. The constructs were also analyzed for DNA as a measure of cellular content. Constructs subjected to perfusion during culture had significantly higher DNA contents than those cultured statically. Matrix metabolism was also modulated by perfusion, with this modulation depending on culture duration. Nine days of continuous perfusion increased S-GAG synthesis and deposition by approximately 40% when compared with static controls. However, perfusion at early time points (during the initial 3-day culture period) suppressed the synthesis and retention of S-GAGs when compared with controls. This work demonstrates the effects of perfusion on cartilage growth in vitro, illustrating the use of perfusion to modulate the growth of tissue-engineered cartilage constructs, and potentially enhance tissue growth in vitro.     

Trophic effects of mesenchymal stem cells increase chondrocyte proliferation and matrix formation

Previous studies showed that coculture of primary chondrocytes (PCs) with various sources of multipotent cells results in a higher relative amount of cartilage matrix formation than cultures containing only chondrocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying this observation. We used coculture pellet models of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human PCs or bovine PCs (bPCs) and studied the fate and the contribution to cartilage formation of the individual cell populations during coculture. Enhanced cartilage matrix deposition was confirmed by histology and quantification of total glycosaminoglycan deposition. Species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that cartilage matrix gene expression was mainly from bovine origin when bPCs were used. Short tandem repeat analysis and species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of genomic DNA demonstrated the near-complete loss of MSCs in coculture pellets after 4 weeks of culture. In coculture pellets of immortalized MSCs and bPCs, chondrocyte proliferation was increased, which was partly mimicked using conditioned medium, and simultaneously preferential apoptosis of immortalized MSCs was induced. Taken together, our data clearly demonstrate that in pellet cocultures of MSCs and PCs, the former cells disappear over time. Increased cartilage formation in these cocultures is mainly due to a trophic role of the MSCs in stimulating chondrocyte proliferation and matrix deposition by chondrocytes rather than MSCs actively undergoing chondrogenic differentiation.     

The role of lipopolysaccharides in endotoxin-induced thymocyte proliferation and chondrocyte collagenase synthesis

Crude endotoxin preparations from Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides gingivalis showed activity in the two principal bio-assays for interleukin 1--the lymphocyte activating factor assay and stimulation of chondrocyte collagenase synthesis. Lipopolysaccharides purified from the crude endotoxins had reduced activity in the chondrocyte collagenase assay. The activity of the endotoxins may be due to synergic interaction between their lipopolysaccharides and other, as yet unidentified, bacterial components.     

Bovine chondrocyte behaviour in three-dimensional type I collagen gel in terms of gel contraction, proliferation and gene expression

This study evaluated the in vitro behaviour of bovine chondrocytes seeded in collagen gels, promising recently reported scaffolds for the treatment of full-thickness cartilage defects. To determine how chondrocytes respond to a collagen gel environment, 2 x 10(6) chondrocytes isolated from fetal, calf and adult bovine cartilage were seeded within type I collagen gels and grown for 12 days in both attached and floating (detached from the culture dish after polymerisation) conditions. Monolayer cultures were performed in parallel. All chondrocytes contracted floating gels to 55% of the initial size, by day 12. Contraction was dependent on initial cell density and inhibited by the presence of dihydrocytochalasin B as previously observed with fibroblasts. Gene expression was determined using conventional and real-time PCR. The chondrocyte phenotype was better maintained in floating gels compared to attached gels and monolayers. This was demonstrated by comparing the ratio of COL2A1/ COL1A2 mRNA and also of alpha10/alpha11 integrin mRNA. A strong up-regulation of MMP13 expression was measured at day 12 in floating gels. The composition of cartilage-like tissue obtained by growing chondrocytes in a collagen gel varied depending on the floating or attached conditions and initial cell density. It is thus important to consider these parameters when using this culture system in order to prepare a well-defined implant for cartilage repair.     

Human articular chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation on synthetic biodegradable polymer films

The effect of polymer chemistry on adhesion, proliferation, and morphology of human articular cartilage (HAC) chondrocytes was evaluated on synthetic degradable polymer films and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as a control. Two-dimensional surfaces of poly(glycolide) (PGA), poly(L-lactide) (L-PLA), poly(D,L-lactide) (D,L-PLA), 85:15 poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (D,L-PLGA), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), 90:10 (D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (D,L-PLCL), 9:91 D,L-PLCL, 40:60 L-PLCL, 67:33 poly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) (PGTMC), and poly(dioxanone) (PDO) were made by spin-casting into uniform thin films. Adhesion kinetics were studied using TCPS and PCL films and revealed that the rate of chondrocyte adhesion began to level off after 6 h. Degree of HAC chondrocyte adhesion was studied on all the substrates after 8 h, and ranged from 47 to 145% of the attachment found on TCPS. The greatest number of chondrocytes attached to PGA and 67:33 PGTMC polymer films, and attachment to PCL and L-PLA films was statistically lower than that found on PGA (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between amount of chondrocyte attachment to the substrates and the substrates' water contact angle. Chondrocytes proliferated equally well on all the substrates resulting in equivalent cell numbers on all the substrates at both day 4 and day 7 of the culture. However, these total cell numbers were reached as a result of a 88- and 42-fold expansion on PDO and PLA, respectively, which was significantly higher than the 11-fold expansion found on TCPS (p < 0.05). The greater fold expansion of the cells on PDO and L-PLA films may be attributed to the availability of space for cells to grow, since their numbers at the start of culture were fewer following the 8 h attachment period. This suggests that regardless of initial seeding density on these degradable polymer substrates (i.e., if some minimum number of cells are able to attach), they will eventually populate the surfaces of all these polymers given sufficient space and time.     

Regaining chondrocyte phenotype in thermosensitive gel culture

Chondrocyte tissue engineering continues to be a challenging problem. When chondrocytes are duplicated in vitro, it is imperative to obtain an adequate number of cells of optimal phenotype. A temperature-sensitive polymer gel, a copolymer of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and acrylic acid (PNiPAAm-co-Aac), has the ability of gelling at 37 degrees C (the lower critical solution temperature, LCST) or above and liquefying below that temperature (Vernon and Gutowska, Macromol. Symp. 1996;109:155-167). The hypothesis of this study was that chondrocytes could (1) duplicate in the copolymer gel; (2) regain their chondrocyte phenotype; and (3) be easily recovered from the gel by simply lowering the temperature below 37 degrees C. Chondrocytes from adult rabbit scapular cartilage were harvested and cultured in a monolayer culture until confluency (approximately 2 weeks). Next, the cells were harvested and seeded into the copolymer gel and cultured for 2-4 weeks. The phenotype of the cultured cells was then characterized. Two groups of control cultures, monolayer and agarose gel, were used to compare their ability to maintain chondrocyte phenotype. The results showed that chondrocytes isolated from rabbit scapula can re-express chondrocyte phenotype in agarose culture and polymer gel culture but not in monolayer culture. Also, cultured chondrocytes can be easily recovered from polymer gel culture by simply lowering the temperature. This new in vitro method of chondrocyte culture is recommended for chondrocyte propagation and regaining chondrocyte phenotype before cell seeding or transplantation.     

非胶原性间质成份对培养肝细胞DNA和胶原蛋白合成的影响

以透明质酸（ＨＡ）和层粘素（ＬＮ）为非胶原性间质成份的代表，观察其对大鼠培养肝实质细胞和人胎肝细胞＾３Ｈ－胸腺嘧啶核苷（＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ）和＾３Ｈ－脯氨酸（＾３Ｈ－Ｐｒｏ）掺入的影响。结果表明，正常血清浓度的ＨＡ和ＬＮ对肝细胞无明显的影响，高浓度则显著抑制＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ及＾３Ｈ－Ｐｒｏ的掺入，但抑制程度和剂量递增无显著相关性。     

在Atelocollagen胶原支架上体外三维培养乳大鼠心肌

目的 在Atelocollagen胶原支架上三维培养具有收缩功能的乳鼠心肌细胞块,为进一步开展心肌组织工程奠定基础。 方法 乳鼠心肌消化培养、纯化后,种植到Atelocollagen胶原支架上进行三维培养。应用倒置显微镜动态观察心肌细胞在Atelocollagen胶原支架上的生长情况。对三维培养不同时间的心肌细胞块进行石蜡包埋、切片,分别进行HE染色、肌球蛋白免疫组织化学染色、肌球蛋白免疫荧光染色、透射电镜观察,对三维培养的细胞进行全面鉴定。 结果 心肌细胞种植到Atelocollagen胶原支架上6h开始贴支架生长,培养2d心肌细胞相互融合,并与Atelocollagen胶原支架形成复合体,连同支架一起搏动。培养6d细胞与细胞间结合较前更紧密。培养10d细胞在Atelocollagen胶原支架孔中交织成网状,18～20d细胞充满大部分支架网孔,进一步形成紧密的心肌细胞块。在整个培养过程中,心肌细胞始终保持良好的自律性收缩。形态学鉴定证明,支架网孔中生长的主要是心肌细胞,极少数为纤维样细胞。 结论 利用Atelocollagen胶原支架能够培养出较为理想的、具有收缩功能的三维心肌细胞块。     

奥曲肽抑制肝星状细胞增殖及细胞外基质合成

目的:探讨奥曲肽对肝星状细胞(HSC)增殖与细胞外基质(ECM)合成的影响。方法:采用胶原酶二步原位灌注法分离、培养大鼠HSC,并分别给予转化生长因子1(TGFβ1)(2.5μg·L^-1)、奥曲肽(Oct)(0.01-10μg·L^-1)或TGFβ1(2.5μg·L^-1)+Oct(0.01-10mg·L^-1)干预,分别用MTT法、[³H]-TdR和[³H]-脯氨酸掺入法及放射免疫法检测各处理组HSC增殖及ECM合成水平。结果:Oct能不同程度抑制HSC[³H]-TdR掺入和增殖;能够显著抑制体外培养HSC[³H]-脯氨酸掺入,降低上清液透明质酸(HA)、层粘连蛋白(LN)和IV型胶原(CIV)水平;TGFβ1能够诱导HSC表达ECM上调,Oct能够阻断TGFβ1对HSC的调控作用。结论:Oct能够有效地抑制HSC增殖及ECM合成与分泌。     

The aggregation of pig articular chondrocyte and synthesis of extracellular matrix by a lactose-modified chitosan

A reductive amination reaction (N-alkylation) obtained exploiting the aldheyde group of lactose and the amino group of the glucosamine residues of chitosan (d.a. 89%) afforded a highly soluble engineered polysaccharide (chitlac) for a potential application in the repair of the articular cartilage. Chitosan derivatives with 9% and 64% of side chain groups introduced have been prepared and characterized by means of potentiometric titration, (1)H-NMR and intrinsic viscosity. Both polymers, with respect to the unmodified chitosan, induce cell aggregation when in contact with a primary culture of pig chondrocytes, leading to the formation of nodules of considerable dimensions (up to 0.5-1 mm in diameter). The nodules obtained from chondrocytes treated with chitlac with the higher degree of substitution have been studied by means of optical and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagen has been measured by means of colorimetric assays. The chondro-specificity of GAG and collagen was determined by RT-PCR. The results show that the lactose-modified chitosan is non-toxic and stimulates the production of aggrecan and type II collagen.     

染料木黄酮抑制生长板软骨细胞的增殖与基质合成

目的： 探讨染料木黄酮对大鼠肋生长板软骨细胞（RGC）的形态、增殖和胞外基质成分合成的影响。方法： 原代培养RGC，1×10^－6 μmol/L-1×10^－4 μmol/L染料木黄酮处理第1代RGC 24 h，观察RGC形态，同位素掺入检测RGC增殖、胶原和蛋白多糖合成，RT-PCR检测collagen Ⅱ和aggrecan基因表达。结果： 染料木黄酮改变了RGC的形态，随着浓度的升高，突起和漂浮细胞的数量增加。染料木黄酮剂量依赖性地抑制RGC的增殖、胶原和蛋白多糖的合成（P<0.05），以及collagenⅡ和aggrecan mRNA的转录。结论： 染料木黄酮抑制RGC的增殖和胞外基质的合成。     

Ascorbate modulation of bovine chondrocyte growth,matrix protein gene expression and synthesis in three-dimensional collagen sponges

This report completes a previous study on the growth and metabolism of fetal bovine epiphyseal chondrocytes cultured, within native or cross-linked collagen sponges carried out without the addition of fresh ascorbate. At low initial cell density (2.3 x 10(6)cells/cm(3)) cell proliferation and a low matrix deposition were observed, whereas at high initial cell density (2.3 x 10(7)cells/cm(3)) there was an absence of cell proliferation, but the deposition of a cartilage-like matrix was measured. In both cases, only traces of type I collagen (marker of chondrocyte dedifferentiation) were detected. In this report, we observed, after 1 month in culture with ascorbate, in both type of scaffolds and initial cell densities, an increase in cell proliferation (2-fold) and in expression of genes encoding for collagen types I, II, X and MMP-2 and -13, but no change in the level of matrix deposition (collagen and GAG). With regard to the proteins present, the main differences with or without ascorbate concerned the increase of neosynthesised type I collagen (up to 35% of the total collagen deposited in the sponge) and of the MMP-2 active form. In conclusion, these results show that ascorbate is an important factor to consider when preparing cartilage constructs for its action on chondrocyte phenotype modulation and proliferation.     

Crosslinked chitosan: its physical properties and the effects of matrix stiffness on chondrocyte cell morphology and proliferation

Chitosan [beta(1-4)-2 amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose], the natural polyaminosaccharide derived from N-deacetylation of chitin [beta(1-4)-2 acetamide-2-deoxy-D-glucose], has been shown to possess attractive biological and cell interactive properties. Recently chitosan and chitosan analogs have also been shown to support the growth and continued function of chondrocytes. In the present study, chitosan substrates are crosslinked with a functional diepoxide (1,4 butanediol diglycidyl ether) to alter its mechanical property, and the viability and proliferation of the canine articular chondrocytes seeded on the crosslinked surface are further assayed. Of interest is the impact of substrate stiffness on the growth and proliferation of articular canine chondrocytes. Crosslinked scaffolds were also subjected to degradation by chitosanase to examine the impact of crosslinking on enzyme-assisted degradation. The hydrophilicity and compression modulus of the crosslinked surfaces were measured via contact-angle measurements and compression tests, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescent staining were used to observe the proliferation and morphology of chondrocyte cells on noncrosslinked and crosslinked surfaces. The crosslinked chitosan was found to be nontoxic to chondrocytes and more hydrophilic. Its compression modulus and stiffness increased, which may improve the scaffold resistance to wear and in vivo shrinkage once implanted. The increased stiffness also seemed to serve as an additional mechanical stimulus to promote chondrocyte growth and proliferation. The cell morphology on crosslinked scaffolds seen by SEM and fluorescent stain was the typical chondrocytic rounded shape. The method proposed provides a nontoxic way to increase the mechanical strength of the chitosan scaffolds.     

The effects of noncollagenous matrix proteins on hydroxyapatite formation and proliferation in a collagen gel system

The effects of several noncollagenous matrix proteins on hydroxyapatite formation and growth were studied in a dynamic collagen gel system. In this system growth plate proteoglycan aggregates at concentrations of 1-10 micrograms/ml were effective inhibitors, desulfated aggregates from brachymorphic mice were less effective. Phosphophoryn at 1-100 micrograms/ml had no effect on formation; 60-120 micrograms/ml retarded mineral growth. Type X collagen at concentrations of 50-300 micrograms/ml had no effect on formation or growth.     

Unphysiologically high magnesium concentrations support chondrocyte proliferation and redifferentiation

The effect of unphysiologically high extracellular magnesium concentrations on chondrocytes, induced by the supplementation of magnesium sulfate, was studied using a 3-phase tissue engineering model. The experiments showed that chondrocyte proliferation and redifferentiation, on the gene and protein expression level, are enhanced. A negative influence was found during chondrogenesis where an inhibition of extracellular matrix formation was observed. In addition, a direct impact on chondrocyte metabolism, elevated magnesium concentrations also affected growth factor effectiveness by consecutive influences during chondrogenesis. All observations were dosage dependent. The results of this study indicate that magnesium may be a useful tool for cartilage tissue engineering.     

Deciphering chondrocyte behaviour in matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation to undergo accurate cartilage repair with hyaline matrix

Since the emergence in the 1990s of the autologous chondrocytes transplantation (ACT) in the treatment of cartilage defects, the technique, corresponding initially to implantation of chondrocytes, previously isolated and amplified in vitro, under a periosteal membrane, has greatly evolved. Indeed, the first generations of ACT showed their limits, with in particular the dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during the monolayer culture, inducing the synthesis of fibroblastic collagens, notably type I collagen to the detriment of type II collagen. Beyond the clinical aspect with its encouraging results, new biological substitutes must be tested to obtain a hyaline neocartilage. Therefore, the use of differentiated chondrocytes phenotypically stabilized is essential for the success of ACT at medium and long-term. That is why researchers try now to develop more reliable culture techniques, using among others, new types of biomaterials and molecules known for their chondrogenic activity, giving rise to the 4th generation of ACT. Other sources of cells, being able to follow chondrogenesis program, are also studied. The success of the cartilage regenerative medicine is based on the phenotypic status of the chondrocyte and on one of its essential component of the cartilage, type II collagen, the expression of which should be supported without induction of type I collagen. The knowledge accumulated by the scientific community and the experience of the clinicians will certainly allow to relief this technological challenge, which influence besides, the validation of such biological substitutes by the sanitary authorities.     

Cx43沉默对机械应力作用下调控的软骨细胞自噬介导软骨基质合成的影响

目的:探究机械应力作用下通过沉默缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)调控软骨细胞自噬对软骨细胞的基质代谢的影响。方法:对小鼠成软骨细胞系ATDC5加载机械应力,采用q PCR和Western blot法检测ATDC5细胞中Cx43的mRNA和蛋白表达。将细胞分为空白对照组、机械应力组、Cx43 siRNA转染组、scramble siRNA转染组、机械应力+scramble siRNA转染组、机械应力+Cx43 siRNA转染组和机械应力+Cx43 siRNA转染+3-MA组,CCK-8法检测细胞活力,q PCR检测软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原mRNA的表达,1,9-二甲基亚甲蓝(DMMB)染色法检测细胞糖胺多糖(GAG)含量,Western blot法检测自噬相关蛋白beclin 1和LC3的表达。结果:机械应力刺激下,ATDC5细胞Cx43表达上调,细胞活性显著降低,II型胶原mRNA表达降低,GAG含量减少,beclin 1和LC3-II/LC3-I蛋白表达降低(P 0. 05)。转染Cx43 siRNA可下调Cx43的mRNA和蛋白的表达。机械应力作用下,Cx43沉默显著增强软骨细胞活力,提高II型胶原的mRNA表达和GAG含量,上调beclin 1和LC3-II/LC3-I的蛋白表达(P 0. 05)。此外,自噬抑制剂3-MA处理后,Cx43沉默对机械应力下软骨细胞的保护作用受到抑制。结论:Cx43沉默通过促进机械应力作用下小鼠软骨细胞自噬,从而促进软骨细胞的合成代谢,减轻软骨细胞在机械应力下的损伤。