Volume Expansion of Tissue Engineered Human Nasal Septal Cartilage

Abstract

Objectives: 1) Produce autologous human septal neocartilage constructs substantially larger in size than previously produced constructs. 2) Demonstrate that volume expanded neocartilage constructs possess comparable histologic and biochemical properties to standard size constructs. 3) Show that volume expanded neocartilage constructs retain similar biomechanical properties to standard size constructs. Methods: Human septal chondrocytes from 8 donors were used to create 12mm and 24mm neocartilage constructs. These were cultured for a total of 10 weeks. Photo documentation, histologic, biochemical, and biomechanical properties were measured and compared. Results: The 24mm diameter constructs were qualitatively similar to the 12mm constructs. They possessed adequate strength and durability to be manually manipulated. Histologic analysis of the constructs demonstrated similar staining patterns in standard and volume expanded constructs. Proliferation, as measured by DNA content, was similar in 24mm and 12mm constructs. Additionally, GAG and total collagen content did not significantly differ between the two construct sizes. Biomechanical analysis of the 24mm and 12mm constructs demonstrated comparable compressive and tensile properties. Conclusions: Volume expanded human septal neocartilage constructs are qualitatively and histologically similar to standard 12mm constructs. Biochemical and biomechanical analysis of the constructs demonstrated equivalent properties. This study shows that modification of existing protocols is not required to successfully produce neocartilage constructs in larger sizes for reconstruction of more substantial craniofacial defects.