Tissue Engineered Arthroscopic Repair of Experimental Cartilage Lesions in Horses (SS-47)

Abstract

ObjectiveTo valuate by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopy and histology the repair tissue obtained after the arthroscopic implantation of an autologous chondrocyte-construct derived from cartilage and seeded onto a polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid (PGA-PLA) co-polymer attached to an experimental chondral lesion in the patello-femoral joint of the horse.Materials and methodsFive young horses were used. An osteochondral biopsy was obtained from the left femoral trochlea. Chondrocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion and expanded in culture. Cells were seeded (2x107) onto PGA/PLA discs and were implanted arthroscopically to repair 8mm diameter cartilage defects created in the right medial trochlea using an absorbable fixation device. At 8 weeks stifle joints were evaluated by MRI, arthroscopy and light microscopy (H&E, Safranin-O, Trichrome).ResultsNew tissue was integrated to normal surrounding tissue. Arthroscopic evaluation showed cartilage-like tissue in all defects. MRI showed a distinct difference among the tissue engineered repair and controls. Histology demonstrated very cellular fibrocartilage-like repair tissue, attached to subchondral bone.DiscussionArthroscopic implantation of cell-polymer constructs was possible. Defects were filled by cartilage-like tissue by 8 weeks. MRI was useful to evaluate repair. The equine model is extremely useful to test new techniques for potential human use. ObjectiveTo valuate by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopy and histology the repair tissue obtained after the arthroscopic implantation of an autologous chondrocyte-construct derived from cartilage and seeded onto a polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid (PGA-PLA) co-polymer attached to an experimental chondral lesion in the patello-femoral joint of the horse. To valuate by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopy and histology the repair tissue obtained after the arthroscopic implantation of an autologous chondrocyte-construct derived from cartilage and seeded onto a polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid (PGA-PLA) co-polymer attached to an experimental chondral lesion in the patello-femoral joint of the horse. Materials and methodsFive young horses were used. An osteochondral biopsy was obtained from the left femoral trochlea. Chondrocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion and expanded in culture. Cells were seeded (2x107) onto PGA/PLA discs and were implanted arthroscopically to repair 8mm diameter cartilage defects created in the right medial trochlea using an absorbable fixation device. At 8 weeks stifle joints were evaluated by MRI, arthroscopy and light microscopy (H&E, Safranin-O, Trichrome). Five young horses were used. An osteochondral biopsy was obtained from the left femoral trochlea. Chondrocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion and expanded in culture. Cells were seeded (2x107) onto PGA/PLA discs and were implanted arthroscopically to repair 8mm diameter cartilage defects created in the right medial trochlea using an absorbable fixation device. At 8 weeks stifle joints were evaluated by MRI, arthroscopy and light microscopy (H&E, Safranin-O, Trichrome). ResultsNew tissue was integrated to normal surrounding tissue. Arthroscopic evaluation showed cartilage-like tissue in all defects. MRI showed a distinct difference among the tissue engineered repair and controls. Histology demonstrated very cellular fibrocartilage-like repair tissue, attached to subchondral bone. New tissue was integrated to normal surrounding tissue. Arthroscopic evaluation showed cartilage-like tissue in all defects. MRI showed a distinct difference among the tissue engineered repair and controls. Histology demonstrated very cellular fibrocartilage-like repair tissue, attached to subchondral bone. DiscussionArthroscopic implantation of cell-polymer constructs was possible. Defects were filled by cartilage-like tissue by 8 weeks. MRI was useful to evaluate repair. The equine model is extremely useful to test new techniques for potential human use. Arthroscopic implantation of cell-polymer constructs was possible. Defects were filled by cartilage-like tissue by 8 weeks. MRI was useful to evaluate repair. The equine model is extremely useful to test new techniques for potential human use.