Development of a cartilage composite utilizing porous tantalum, fibrin, and rabbit chondrocytes for treatment of cartilage defect

Abstract

ObjectiveFunctional tissue engineering has emerged as a potential means for treatment of cartilage defect. Development of a stable cartilage composite is considered to be a good option. The aim of the study was to observe whether the incorporation of cultured chondrocytes on porous tantalum utilizing fibrin as a cell carrier would promote cartilage tissue formation.MethodsRabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured and seeded onto tantalum with fibrin as temporary matrix in a composite, which was divided into three groups. The first group was kept in vitro while a total of 12 constructs were implanted into the dorsum of mice for the second and third groups. The implanted tissues were harvested after 4 weeks (second group) and after 8 weeks (third group). Specific characteristic of cartilage growth were studied by histological and biochemical assessment, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative PCR analysis.ResultsHistological and biochemical evaluation of the formed cartilage using hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue staining showed lacunae chondrocytes embedded in the proteoglycan rich matrix. Dimethylmethylene blue assay demonstrated high glycosaminoglycans content in the removed tissue following 8 weeks of implantation. Immunohistochemistry results showed the composites after implantation expressed high collagen type II. Quantitative PCR results confirmed a significant increase in cartilage associated genes expression (collagen type II, AggC, Sox 9) after implantation.ConclusionTantalum scaffold with fibrin as cell carrier promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilaginous tissue formation. Producing hyaline cartilage within a stable construct of tantalum and fibrin has a potential for treatment of cartilage defect.

Tantalum coating of porous carbon scaffold supplemented with autologous bone marrow stromal stem cells for bone regenerationin vitroandin vivo

“…36 Tantalum scaffold with fibrin as cell carrier promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilaginous tissue formation. 37 In addition, porous tantalum begins to be applied as dental implants in animal experiments and in clinic. 38,39…”

“…36 Tantalum scaffold with fibrin as cell carrier promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilaginous tissue formation. 37 In addition, porous tantalum begins to be applied as dental implants in animal experiments and in clinic. 38,39 ....................................................................................................................... Nevertheless, melting point of tantalum is about 3000 C, so porous tantalum with highly interconnected pores and uniform honeycomb structure is very difficult to obtain through the traditional technology.…”

Method for estimating protein binding capacity of polymeric systems

“…All of these biomaterials have advantages as well as some drawbacks. Therefore, a combination of two or more of them is often used to develop new biomaterials known as composites [2] , [3] . Combination of natural protein-based polymers such as fibrin (excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity) with synthetic ones (versatility and mechanical strength) is a popular choice used in tissue engineering for a wide variety of tissues [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] .…”

Involvement of autophagy in tantalum nanoparticle-induced osteoblast proliferation

“…12 Currently, porous Ta has been widely applied in orthopedic applications and oral implants, and studies have shown that it can highly promote the adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts in vitro 3,13,14 and in vivo. 15,16 In addition, recent studies have revealed that porous Ta combined with bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs), 17 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), 18 and fibrin 19 can better promote cell proliferation, bone integration, and regeneration. 20 Currently, a commercial PTTM-enhanced Ti dental implant is applied.…”