The feasibility study of repairment of articular cartilage defects with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded on acellular amniotic membrane

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of repairment of articular cartilage defects in non weight-bearing area of rabbit with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seeded on human acellular amniotic membrane (HAAM).Methods From July 2012 to March 2013,bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and purified from rabbit in vitro.The cells were seeded on human acellular anniotic membrane at the concentration of 1.63 × l05/cm2.From 7 days to 8 days after cultured,the complexes of BMSC and HAAM were examined under electronmicroscope,light microscope and by HE stain.Full thickness empty defects measuring 4 mm in diameter by 3 mm depth were prepared in femoral intercondylar fossa of 24 rabbits.The rabbits were randomized into two groups:group A and group B with 12 each group.The defects of right knees were served as control and the left as experimental group.BMSCs/HAAM composite was cultured and then transplanted into the defect of left knee joint in group A as group BMSCs/HAAM and HAAM into group B as group HAAM.These rabbits were killed at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery in each group and the newly cartilage samples were evaluated grossly,histologically are graded.Results In the 4th and 12th week after the operation,the regenerated tissue were white,soft and smooth.Chondrocytes were found in the tissue In the 12th week,the morphology,distribution and arrangement of the regenerated tissues were similar to normal cartilage in the knees with HAAM-BMSCs transplantation.The regenerated tissues grew to be integrated with the surrounding normal cartilage with obscure boundary between them.Chondrocytes were found in all layer of the tissue,surrounding normal cartilage with obscure boundary between them.In the HAAM transplantation,the rough surface of regenerated tissue sunk obviously and the fibmblasts in all layer were found.While there were no regenerated tissue in the control side.Conclusion BMSCs seeded on HAAM could repair the articular cartilage defects of femoral intercondylar fossa from rabbits. Key words: Human acellular amniotic membrane; Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; Cartilage defects