Nasal chondrocytes and fibrin sealant for cartilage tissue engineering

Abstract

Hybrid constructs associating a biodegradable matrix and autologous chondrocytes hold promise for the treatment of articular cartilage defects. In this context, our objective was to investigate the potential use of nasal chondrocytes associated with a fibrin sealant for the treatment of articular cartilage defects. The phenotype of primary nasal chondrocytes (NC) from human (HNC) and rabbit (RNC) origin were characterized by RT-PCR. The ability of constructs associating fibrin sealant and NC to form a cartilaginous tissue in vivo was investigated, firstly in a subcutaneous site in nude mice and secondly in an articular cartilage defect in rabbit. HNC express type II collagen and aggrecan, the two major hallmarks of a chondrocytic phenotype. Furthermore, when injected subcutaneously into nude mice within a fibrin sealant, these chondrocytes were able to form a cartilage-like tissue. Our data indicate that RNC also express type II collagen and aggrecan and maintained their phenotype in three-dimensional culture within a fibrin sealant. Moreover, treatment of rabbit articular cartilage defects with autologous RNC embedded in a fibrin sealant led to the formation of a hyalin-like repair tissue. The use of fibrin sealant containing hybrid autologous NC therefore appears as a promising approach for cell-based therapy of articular cartilage.

Cultured chondrocyte and porcine cartilage-derived substance (PCS) construct as a possible dorsal augmentation material in rhinoplasty: A preliminary animal study

“…In a more recent study, a construct composed of autologous nasal chondrocytes and fibrin were implanted in the subcutaneous pocket of a nude mouse. 20 These authors reported the formation of compact cartilaginous tissue following implantation. In our study, we selected a solid form of scaffold to maintain the preoperatively planned shape, applying surgical procedures to implant the construct precisely into the desired location for augmentation.…”

Fibrin Glue

“…For example, Vinatier et al described the healing of a rabbit articular defect with nasal chondrocytes embedded in a fibrin glue matrix. 15 It is difficult to draw clinical correlations when nasal chondrocytes, for instance, are used to treat joint cartilage defects. Costochondral cartilage grafts are commonly used clinically for ear and nose reconstruction.…”

Characterization of auricular chondrocytes and auricular/articular chondrocyte co-cultures in terms of an application in articular cartilage repair

“…The use of heterotopic chondrocytes as an additional cell source for ACT to improve articular cartilage repair is a promising novel approach (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). To assess possible limitations of this strategy, a detailed characterization of heterotopic chondrocyte biology is necessary.…”

“…After prolonged monolayer culture chondrocytes are irreversibly dedifferentiated and no longer suitable for ACT since they do not produce a hyaline-like ECM (9)(10)(11)(12). The use of heterotopic chondrocytes as an additional non-articular cell source might be a promising novel approach in articular cartilage repair and has currently started to attract more and more attention (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Auricular cartilage contains a considerably higher number of cells and is much more easily accessible as well as being characterized by a lower donor site morbidity, compared with articular cartilage (18).…”