Harvey Cushing: Father of American Neurosurgery

A rabbit model was used to assess the nature of healing tissues in hyaline cartilage defects and to compare the healing in defects treated with pedunculated synovium grafts to those in defects without synovial grafting. Both knees of 28 1-year-old rabbits were operated. A 3× 2-mm cartilage defect that exposed cancellous bone was created in the non-weight-bearing area of each medial femoral condyle. Each right-knee defect was covered with a pedunculated synovial graft obtained from the same joint, and the left-knee defects were left uncovered as controls. Groups of rabbits were sacrificed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postsurgery. Sections from each knee were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and safranin O—fast green staining, and were immunohistochemically stained for type II collagen. The healing at each site was histologically scored, and the intensity of staining for type II collagen was graded. At 12 and 24 weeks, statistical comparisons of histological scores revealed significantly more hyaline cartilage tissue in the synovium-grafted defects. At 24 weeks, these same defects showed significantly more type II collagen. Thus, pedunculated synovium transplantation appears to hold promise as a method for repairing hyaline cartilage defects.     

Repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects using injectable type II collagen gel embedded with cultured chondrocytes in a rabbit model

BACKGROUND: Recently, tissue-engineered chondrocyte transplantation has been tried to treat full-thickness cartilage defects. We developed an injectable type II collagen gel scaffold by chemically reacting type II collagen with polyethylene glycol crosslinker. This type II collagen was prepared from the nasal septa of cattle. In the present study, chondrocytes embedded in type II collagen gel were injected into rabbit full-thickness cartilage defects without a periosteal graft, and the feasibility for clinical application of the gel was evaluated. METHODS: Chondrocytes were isolated from 1-kg New Zealand white rabbits. A full-thickness articular cartilage defect (5 mm diameter, 4 mm depth) was created on the patellar groove of the femur of 16 male 3-kg New Zealand white rabbits. A type II collagen solution of mixed chondrocytes at a density of 1 x 10(7) cells/ml was injected and transplanted into the defect in the right knee. The controls were the defect only in the left knee. At 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after operation, four cases from each group were evaluated macroscopically and histologically. RESULTS: After injection into the cartilage defect, the gel bonded to the adjacent cartilage and bone within several minutes. Macroscopic examination revealed that the surface of the transplanted area was smooth and exhibited similar coloration and good integration with the surrounding cartilage at 12 and 24 weeks after transplantation. Histological examination at 8 weeks revealed favorable hyaline cartilage regeneration with good chondrocyte morphology. At 12 and 24 weeks, reparative cartilage remained rich in type II collagen. According to O'Driscoll histological scores, significant differences between the transplanted and control groups were apparent at 12 and 24 weeks. Immunohistochemical staining indicated sufficient type II collagen synthesis in regenerated cartilage 8 weeks after transplantation, and it was maintained until 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that type II collagen gel is suitable for injection into cartilage defects without any covering of a graft and offers a useful scaffold during chondrocyte transplantation.     

高纯度猪软骨Ⅱ型胶原修复兔膝关节软骨缺损的实验研究

目的 研制高纯度猪软骨Ⅱ型胶原海绵,探讨其修复关节软骨缺损的可行性.方法 将40只成年雄性新西兰兔制成膝关节软骨缺损模型,随机分成两组.A组20只兔的缺损区植入Ⅱ型胶原海绵,B组20只兔的缺损区旷置,不植入胶原作为对照.于术后2、4、8、12、24周分别做HE染色、Masson染色、Safranin O染色及Ⅱ犁胶原免疫组化检测.结果 ①HE染色及Masson染色显示A组在术后2周即出现新生软骨细胞,细胞以胶原纤维为支架迁移进入缺损区,并与胶原纤维生长融合;12周后新生骨和软骨组织完全填满缺损区并与周围组织整合,而B组直至术后24周仍由纤维组织所填充;②免疫组化检测结果 显示A组新生软骨细胞具有正常兔软骨细胞的表型;③Safranin O染色结果 显示A组新生软骨细胞具有分泌软骨基质的功能.结论 Ⅱ型胶原具有较强的诱导软骨细胞生长的能力,其诱导生长的新生软骨细胞具有正常透明软骨细胞的表型和功能,是良好的软骨缺损修复的生物填充材料.     

Extracorporeal shock waves in articular cartilage defects in the rats

Thirty adult Sprague–Dawley rats were used to assess the nature of healing tissues in hyaline cartilage defects and to compare the healing in defects treated with shock waves, with those in defects without treatment. A 2 × 2 mm cartilage defect with exposed cancellous bone was created in a nonweight-bearing area of each medial femoral condyle. Each right knee defect was received extracorporeal shock waves (Swiss Dolorclast) of 500 impulses in 5 min at 2 bar (comparative to 0.09 mJ/mm²), and the left knee defects were assigned as controls. The rat groups were sacrificed at 6 and 12 weeks postsurgery. Sections from each knee were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to analyze synovial adhesion, synovial thickness, bone maturation, and chondroid metaplasia and with masson trichrome to analyze collagen fiber intensity. There was not a significant difference found between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). Extracorporeal shock waves did not effect healing of the chondral defects.     

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy results in healing of full thickness articular cartilage defect

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) treatment in experimental osteochondral defect healing in a rabbit model. The study was conducted on 12 New Zealand white rabbits. Six rabbits formed the study group and six rabbits the control group. The right knee joints of all 12 animals were exposed and a 3.5-mm diameter osteochondral defect was created in the trochlear groove. The defect was filled with calcium phosphate scaffold. Six animals from the study group were given PEMF of one hour duration once a day for six weeks with set parameters for frequency of 1 Hz, voltage 20 V, sine wave and current ±30 mA. At six weeks the animals were sacrificed and histological evaluation was done using H&E, Safranin O, Maissons trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry for type 2 collagen. The quality of the repair tissue was graded and compared between groups with the Wakitani histological grading scale and a statistical analysis was done. The total histological score was significantly better in the study group (p = 0.002) with regeneration similar to adjacent normal hyaline cartilage. Immunohistochemistry for collagen type II was positive in the study group. PEMF stimulation of osteochondral defects with calcium phosphate scaffold is effective in hyaline cartilage formation. PEMF is a non-invasive and cost effective adjuvant treatment with salvage procedures such as abrasion chondroplasty and subchondral drilling.     

Repair of chondral defects with allogenous chondrocyte-seeded hyaluronan/collagen II microspheres in a rabbit model

Using a recently established method to prepare hyaluronan/collagen II (HA/Col II) microspheres for a novel biomaterial to couple with living cells/tissues, this animal model study evaluated the effects on a 4-week healing process of chondral defects by the implantation of allogenous chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres that had been cultured in vitro for 7 days prior to implantation compared with unseeded HA/Col II microspheres or an untreated wound. Four weeks postsurgery, the untreated group's defect was filled with translucent soft tissue. At the same time, the edges and demarcation lines of the healing defects that were implanted with either HA/Col II microspheres or chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres were infused yet recognizable. Furthermore, the new tissues were well integrated into the surrounding articular cartilage. Less glycosaminoglycan (GAG) staining was observed in the defects implanted with HA/Col II microspheres, which indicated that most of the repair tissues were derived from fibrocartilage formation. Conversely, more GAG staining appeared in the defect implanted with chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres, which demonstrated a higher level of hyaline cartilage regeneration. Due to the short healing period assigned to this study, the repaired cartilage showed limited incorporation into the surrounding host cartilage and some loose connection to the subchondral bone.     

组织工程软骨移植修复兔膝关节软骨缺损

研究用组织工程的方法进行差了软骨缺损修复的基本原理。方法取新生兔关节－干骺复后体软骨,胶原酶消化,将所获软骨细胞种入９６孔板内几丁质纤维无纺布上。结果培养２１天时形成“膜状软骨”,至１１０天时形成直径为４．４ｍｍ的“圆盘状软骨”。经Ｓａｆｒａｎ“Ｏ”ｉｖｓ ｑｃ ｙｇｈ ｐｕ 其基质富含蛋白多糖,原位杂交法 产其软骨细胞表达Ⅱ型胶原ｍＲＮＡ。将培养２１天的“膜状软骨”移植于成年兔膝关节圆形全厚缺损     

利用脂肪干细胞构建软骨修复兔膝关节软骨缺损的初步研究

目的 利用兔同种异体软骨脱细胞基质支架和脂肪干细胞体外构建组织工程软骨,探讨其修复关节软骨损伤的可行性.方法 将新西兰大白兔的脂肪干细胞与软骨脱细胞基质支架复合,于软骨细胞方向诱导培养基中培养两周,构建组织工程软骨.兔24只随机分为A、B、C 3组, A组关节软骨缺损处置入经诱导的脂肪源干细胞复合软骨基质支架, B组缺损处只置入软骨基质支架, C组软骨缺损处不做任何处理.分别于术后第12周处死动物,修复处行大体、组织学、Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色和透射电镜检测.结果 A组软骨缺损处被类软骨组织填充,修复区表面光滑;Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色和甲苯胺蓝染色阳性;电镜下可见软骨陷窝内有细胞结构存在,且有大量均匀颗粒状细胞分泌基质成分存在,细胞周围大量胶原纤维.B组软骨缺损处为纤维组织状物填充,C组软骨缺损处无修复组织填充.结论 脂肪干细胞与软骨脱细胞基质复合并向软骨诱导后可良好地修复关节软骨缺损,具有替代正常软骨的潜力.     

Autologous chondrocyte implantation drives early chondrogenesis and organized repair in extensive full‐ and partial‐thickness cartilage defects in an equine model

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been used clinically for over 15 years and yet definitive evidence of chondrocyte persistence and direct impact on cartilage repair in full‐thickness lesions is scant and no data are available on ACI in partial‐thickness defects in any animal model. This study assessed the effect of chondrocytes secured using periosteal overlay in partial‐ and full‐thickness cartilage defects in the equine model. Paired cartilage defects 15 mm in diameter were made in the patellofemoral joint of 16 horse and repaired with ACI or periosteal flap alone. Response was assessed at 8 weeks by clinical, microradiographic, and histologic appearance, and by collagen type II immunohistochemistry, and proteoglycan and DNA quantification. ACI improved histologic scores in partial‐ and full‐thickness cartilage defects, including defect filling, attachment to the underlying subchondral bone, and presence of residual chondrocyte accumulations. For partial‐thickness defects chondrocyte predominance, collagen type II content, and toluidine stained matrix were enhanced, and attachment to the surrounding cartilage improved. DNA and PG content of grafted partial‐thickness defects was improved by chondrocyte implantation. Periosteal patches alone did not induce cartilage repair. This study indicated implantation of chondrocytes to cartilage defects improved healing with a combination of persisting chondrocyte regions, enhanced collagen type II formation, and better overall cartilage healing scores. Use of ACI in the more challenging partial‐thickness defects also improved histologic indices and biochemical content. The equine model of cartilage healing closely resembles cartilage repair in man, and results of this study confirm cell persistence and improved early cartilage healing events after ACI. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1121–1130, 2011     

Chitosan-glycerol phosphate/blood implants increase cell recruitment, transient vascularization and subchondral bone remodeling in drilled cartilage defects

OBJECTIVE: Marrow-stimulation techniques are used by surgeons to repair cartilage lesions although consistent regeneration of hyaline cartilage is rare. We have shown previously that autologous blood can be mixed with a polymer solution containing chitosan in a glycerol phosphate (GP) buffer (chitosan-GP), and that implantation of this polymer/blood composite onto marrow-stimulated chondral defects in rabbit and sheep leads to the synthesis of more chondral repair tissue with greater hyaline character compared to marrow-stimulation alone. In the current study, we examined the modulation of cell recruitment and repair tissue characteristics at early post-surgical time points (from day 1 to 56) in a rabbit model to elucidate potential mechanisms behind this improved repair outcome. DESIGN: Thirty-three skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral arthrotomies, with each trochlea receiving a cartilage defect (3.5 mm x 4.5mm) bearing four microdrill holes (0.9 mm diameter, approximately 4 mm deep) into the subchondral bone. One defect per rabbit was treated with a chitosan-GP/blood implant, while the other defect was left as a microdrilled control. Repair tissues were stained by histochemistry, for collagen types I, II, and X by immunohistochemistry and analyzed using quantitative stereological tools. RESULTS: Histological analyses demonstrated that control defects followed a typical healing sequence observed previously in marrow-stimulation animal models while chitosan-GP/blood implants led to three significant modifications in the healing sequence at early stages: (1) increased inflammatory and marrow-derived stromal cell recruitment to the microdrill holes, (2) increased vascularization of the provisional repair tissue in the microdrill holes, and (3) increased intramembranous bone formation and subchondral bone remodeling (BR). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the greater levels of provisional tissue vascularization and BR activity are main factors supporting improved cartilage repair when chitosan-GP/blood implants are applied to marrow-stimulated cartilage lesions.     

Effects of a cultured autologous chondrocyte-seeded type II collagen scaffold on the healing of a chondral defect in a canine model.

Using a previously established canine model for repair of articular cartilage defects, this study evaluated the 15-week healing of chondral defects (i.e., to the tidemark) implanted with an autologous articular chondrocyte-seeded type II collagen scaffold that had been cultured in vitro for four weeks prior to implantation. The amount and composition of the reparative tissue were compared to results from our prior studies using the same animal model in which the following groups were analyzed: defects implanted with autologous chondrocyte-seeded collagen scaffolds that had been cultured in vitro for approximately 12 h prior to implantation, defects implanted with autologous chondrocytes alone, and untreated defects. Chondrocytes, isolated from articular cartilage harvested from the left knee joint of six adult canines, were expanded in number in monolayer for three weeks, seeded into porous type II collagen scaffolds, cultured for an additional four weeks in vitro and then implanted into chondral defects in the trochlear groove of the right knee joints. The percentages of specific tissue types filling the defects were evaluated histomorphometrically and certain mechanical properties of the repair tissue were determined. The reparative tissue filled 88+/-6% (mean+/-SEM; range 70-100%) of the cross-sectional area of the original defect, with hyaline cartilage accounting for 42+/-10% (range 7-67%) of defect area. These values were greater than those reported previously for untreated defects and defects implanted with a type II collagen scaffold seeded with autologous chondrocytes within 12 h prior to implantation. Most striking, was the decreased amount of fibrous tissue filling the defects in the current study, 5+/-5% (range 0-26%) as compared to previous treatments. Despite this improvement, indentation testing of the repair tissue formed in this study revealed that the compressive stiffness of the repair tissue was well below (20-fold lower stiffness) that of native articular cartilage.     

骨髓基质细胞源性软骨细胞修复兔全层关节软骨缺损

目的观察体外诱导骨髓基质细胞(MSCs)源性软骨细胞在兔股骨滑车关节面全层软骨缺损修复中的作用. 方法高密度传代培养第3代诱导MSCs分化为软骨细胞,以酸溶性Ⅰ型胶原为载体,两者混合后形成凝胶样植入物(细胞浓度为5×106/ml).于36只新西兰大耳白兔一侧股骨滑车关节面造成3 mm×5 mm全层关节软骨缺损,凝胶样植入为实验侧;另一侧分别为单纯胶原植入组(18个膝关节)和空白对照组(18个膝关节).术后4、8、12、24、32和48周取材观察缺损修复情况及新生组织的类型.参照Pineda标准对新生组织评分. 结果实验侧术后4周,植入细胞类似软骨细胞,周围有异染基质,形成透明软骨样组织;8周,深层有软骨下骨形成,软骨细胞层较正常关节软骨厚;12周,新生软骨厚度减小,与正常软骨相近,细胞呈柱状排列,结构与正常关节软骨相似,软骨下骨形成,潮线恢复;24周,新生软骨厚度较正常薄,约占55%,表面平整,潮线附近仍有肥大的软骨细胞;32周,潮线附近无肥大软骨细胞;48周,组织结构与32周时基本相同,为类透明软骨.Pineda评分24、32和48周间无差异,与4周比较有统计学意义(P＜0.05).实验组2～48周期间关节功能良好.单纯胶原组与空白对照组缺损无修复,48周时软骨下骨外露,关节退变;关节功能逐渐减退,动度受限. 结论 MSCs源性软骨细胞移植体内可形成透明样软骨组织,24周后新生软骨特性稳定,48周时为透明样软骨,能维持良好的关节功能.     

Regeneration of articular cartilage--evaluation of osteochondral defect repair in the rabbit using multiphasic implants

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether two different multiphasic implants could initiate and sustain repair of osteochondral defects in rabbits. The implants address the malleable properties of cartilage while also addressing the rigid characteristics of subchondral bone. DESIGN: The bone region of both devices consisted of D, D-L, L-polylactic acid invested with hyaluronan (HY). The cartilage region of the first device was a polyelectrolytic complex (PEC) hydrogel of HY and chitosan. In the second device the cartilage region consisted of type I collagen scaffold. Eighteen rabbits were implanted bilaterally with a device, or underwent defect creation with no implant. At 24 weeks, regenerated tissues were evaluated grossly, histologically and via immunostaining for type II collagen. RESULTS: PEC devices induced a significantly better repair than untreated shams. Collagen devices resulted in a quality of repair close to that of the PEC group, although its mean repair score (19.0+/-4.2) did not differ significantly from that of the PEC group (20.4+/-3.7) or the shams (16.5+/-6.3). The percentage of hyaline-appearing cartilage in the repair was highest with collagen implants, while the degree of bonding of repair to the host, structural integrity of the neocartilage, and reconstitution of the subchondral bone was greatest with PEC devices. Cartilage in both device-treated sites stained positive for type II collagen and GAG. CONCLUSIONS: Both implants are capable of maintaining hyaline-appearing tissue at 24 weeks. The physicochemical region between the cartilage and bone compartments makes these devices well suited for delivery of different growth factors or drugs in each compartment, or different doses of the same factor. It also renders these devices excellent vehicles for chondrocyte or stem cell transplantation.     

Delivering rhFGF‐18 via a bilayer collagen membrane to enhance microfracture treatment of chondral defects in a large animal model

Augmented microfracture techniques use growth factors, cells, and/or scaffolds to enhance the healing of microfracture‐treated cartilage defects. This study investigates the effect of delivering recombinant human fibroblastic growth factor 18 (rhFHF18, Sprifermin) via a collagen membrane on the healing of a chondral defect treated with microfracture in an ovine model. Eight millimeter diameter chondral defects were created in the medial femoral condyle of 40 sheep (n = 5/treatment group). Defects were treated with microfracture alone, microfracture + intra‐articular rhFGF‐18 or microfracture + rhFGF‐18 delivered on a membrane. Outcome measures included mechanical testing, weight bearing, International Cartilage Repair Society repair score, modified O'Driscoll score, qualitative histology, and immunohistochemistry for types I and II collagen. In animals treated with 32 μg rhFGF‐18 + membrane and intra‐articularly, there was a statistically significant improvement in weight bearing at 2 and 4 weeks post surgery and in the modified O'Driscoll score compared to controls. In addition, repair tissue stained was more strongly stained for type II collagen than for type I collagen. rhFGF‐18 delivered via a collagen membrane at the point of surgery potentiates the healing of a microfracture treated cartilage defect. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1120–1127, 2015.     

Repair of rabbit articular surfaces with allografts of chondrocytes embedded in collagen gels

In an attempt to restore articular cartilage, allogeneic articular chondrocytes embedded in collagen gels were transplanted onto full-thickness defects in rabbit articular cartilage. Within 24 weeks after the transplantation, the defects were filled with hyaline cartilage, specifically synthesizing type II collagen. These chondrocytes were autoradiographically proven to be originated from the originally transplanted chondrocytes. As histologically assessed, success rate was about 80%, a marked improvement over the results (40% success rate) in previous studies reporting chondrocyte transplantation without collagen gels. On the other hand, the defects without chondrocyte transplantation healed with fibrocartilaginous tissue more than 24 weeks after treatment. Immunological enhancement induced by transplanted allogeneic chondrocytes or collagen was not significant for eight weeks after treatment, so far as shown by both direct and indirect blastformation reactions. Thus, allogeneic transplantation of isolated chondrocytes embedded in collagen gels appears to be one of the most promising methods for the restoration of articular cartilage.     

Genetic modification of chondrocytes with insulin-like growth factor-1 enhances cartilage healing in an equine model

Gene therapy with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) increases matrix production and enhances chondrocyte proliferation and survival in vitro. The purpose of this study was to determine whether arthroscopically-grafted chondrocytes genetically modified by an adenovirus vector encoding equine IGF-1 (AdIGF-1) would have a beneficial effect on cartilage healing in an equine femoropatellar joint model. A total of 16 horses underwent arthroscopic repair of a single 15 mm cartilage defect in each femoropatellar joint. One joint received 2 x 10(7) AdIGF-1 modified chondrocytes and the contralateral joint received 2 x 10(7) naive (unmodified) chondrocytes. Repairs were analysed at four weeks, nine weeks and eight months after surgery. Morphological and histological appearance, IGF-1 and collagen type II gene expression (polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry), collagen type II content (cyanogen bromide and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), proteoglycan content (dimethylmethylene blue assay), and gene expression for collagen type I, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, aggrecanase-1, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-3 were evaluated. Genetic modification of chondrocytes significantly increased IGF-1 mRNA and ligand production in repair tissue for up to nine weeks following transplantation. The gross and histological appearance of IGF-1 modified repair tissue was improved over control defects. Gross filling of defects was significantly improved at four weeks, and a more hyaline-like tissue covered the lesions at eight months. Histological outcome at four and nine weeks post-transplantation revealed greater tissue filling of defects transplanted with genetically modified chondrocytes, whereas repair tissue in control defects was thin and irregular and more fibrous. Collagen type II expression in IGF-1 gene-transduced defects was increased 100-fold at four weeks and correlated with increased collagen type II immunoreaction up to eight months. Genetic modification of chondrocytes with AdIGF-1 prior to transplantation improved early (four to nine weeks), and to a lesser degree long-term, cartilage healing in the equine model. The equine model of cartilage healing closely resembles human clinical cartilage repair. The results of this study suggest that cartilage healing can be enhanced through genetic modification of chondrocytes prior to transplantation.     

The chondrogenic potential of free autogenous periosteal grafts for biological resurfacing of major full-thickness defects in joint surfaces under the influence of continuous passive motion. An experimental investigation in the rabbit

A rectangular graft of autogenous tibial periosteum was sutured (with its cambium layer facing into the joint) onto the base of a five by ten-millimeter full-thickness defect in the patellar groove of each of 143 adolescent and adult rabbits. The rabbits were managed postoperatively by either immobilization, intermittent active motion, continuous passive motion for two weeks, or continuous passive motion for four weeks. When the animals were killed four weeks postoperatively, the contour of the patellar groove had been restored in all of the rabbits in the group that had had four weeks of continuous passive motion, and the newly formed tissue in all of the defects in this group had the gross, histological, and histochemical appearance of smooth, intact hyaline articular cartilage. Histologically, the nature of the tissue that had formed, as well as its surface regularity, structural integrity, and bonding to the adjacent cartilage, were significantly better in the group that had had four weeks of continuous passive motion than in any of the other groups. The results were significantly worse when the orientation of the periosteal graft was reversed (that is, when it had been sutured into the defect with the cambium layer of the graft facing the subchondral bone rather than into the joint) or when no periosteal graft was used. Biochemical analyses revealed that, in the group that had had four weeks of continuous passive motion, the total hexosamine content, the levels of chondroitin sulphate and keratan sulphate, and the ratio of galactosamine to glucosamine were all comparable with the values for normal articular cartilage. In contrast, in the groups that were treated by immobilization, intermittent active motion, or two weeks of continuous passive motion, as well as in the adult rabbits, the content of the first three of these substances was significantly less than normal. In the groups that were treated by immobilization, intermittent active motion, or two weeks of continuous passive motion, 32 to 47 per cent of the total collagen was type II, while in the group that had had four weeks of continuous passive motion, 93 per cent of the total collagen was type II. These results demonstrate that, under the influence of continuous passive motion, free autogenous periosteal grafts can repair a large full-thickness defect in a joint surface by producing tissue that resembles articular cartilage grossly, histologically, and biochemically, and that contains predominantly type-II collagen.     

Repairing articular cartilage defects with tissueengineering cartilage in rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effect of cancellous bone matrix gelatin ( BMG ) engineered with allogeneic chondrocytes in repairing articular cartilage defects in rabbits. Methods: Chondrocytes were seeded onto three-dimensional cancellous BMG and cultured in vitro for 12 days to prepare BMG-chondrocyte complexes. Under anesthesia with 2.5% pentobarbital sodium (1ml/kg body weight), articular cartilage defects were made on the right knee joints of 38 healthy New Zealand white rabbits (regardless of sex, aged 4-5 months and weighing 2. 5-3 kg) and the defects were then treated with 2. 5% trypsin. Then BMG-chondrocyte complex ( Group A, n = 18 ), BMG (Group B, n = 10), and nothing (Group C, n = 10) were implanted into the cartilage defects, respectively. The repairing effects were assessed by macroscopic, histologic, transmission electron microscopic ( TEM ) observation, immunohistochemical examination and in situ hybridization detection, respectively, at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after operation. Results: Cancellous BMG was degraded within 8 weeks after operation. In Group A, lymphocyte infiltration was observed around the graft. At 24 weeks after operation, the cartilage defects were repaired by cartilage tissues and the articular cartilage and subchondral bone were soundly healed. Proteoglycan and type II collagen were detected in the matrix of the repaired tissues by Safranin-O staining and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. In situ hybridization proved gene expression of type II collagen in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes in the repaired tissues. TEM observation showed that chondrocytes and cartilage matrix in repaired tissues were almost same as those in the normal articular cartilage. In Group B, the defects were repaired by cartilage-fibrous tissues. In Group C, the defects were repaired only by fibrous tissues. Conclusions: Cancellous BMG can be regarded as the natural cell scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. Articular cartilage defects can be repaired by cancellous BMG engineered with allogeneic chondrocytes. The nature of repaired tissues is closest to the normal cartilage. Local administration of trypsin can promote the adherence of repaired tissues to host tissues. Transplantation of allogeneic chondrocytes has immunogenicity, but the immune reaction is weak.     

胶原复合梯度TCP修复关节软骨的形态学观察

目的采用新型双向三维可降解生物活性材料胶原复合梯度TCP（collagen complexTCP，Col／TCP）对兔关节软骨缺损进行修复，并对再生软骨进行组织形态学观察。方法取30只成年大白兔，体重2．0～2．5kg，雌雄不限，于双侧股骨外侧髁制作关节软骨缺损模型。于右侧植入Col／TCP修复缺损，作为实验组，左侧不予处理作为对照组。术后4、6、8、12和24周分别处死6只动物，取股骨外侧髁关节面行大体、组织学、透射电镜及Ⅱ型胶原免疫组织化学染色观察。采用Wakitanifa法软骨组织形态学评分评价修复组织质量。结果大体观察：实验组术后4周，缺损区由白色组织完全充填，表面较光滑，有光泽；12周，修复关节软骨组织与周围正常软骨基本一致，且与关节下骨结合紧密；24周，再生软骨未见明显退变。对照组观察期内均未见软骨组织形成，缺损由纤维组织填充，修复组织表面粗糙，与正常组织界线清楚。实验组术后4、6、8、12和24周组织学评分分别为（7．60±0．98）、（5．69±0．58）、（4．46±0．85）、（4．35±0．12）、（4．41±0．58）分，对照组分别为（10．25±1．05）、（9．04±0．96）、（8．96±0．88）、（8．88±0．68）、（8．66±0．54）分；Ⅱ型胶原含量实验组分别为0．28％±0．01％、0．59％±0．03％、0．68％±0．02％、0．89％±0．02％和0．90％±0．01％，对照组为0．08％±0．02％、0、09％±0．04％、0．11％±0．03％、0．25％±0．03％和0．29％±0．01％；两组各指标比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。透射电镜观察实验组可见典型软骨细胞，而对照组为粗大胶原纤维，细胞少见。结论双向三维可降解生物活性材料Col／TCP在动物体内可诱导关节软骨缺损后的软骨修复。