To study the morphology of remodeling the chitosan-based three-dimensional porous scaffold, containing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) for chondroinduction, the experiments with heterotopic implantation using 28 Wistar rats were carried out. Scaffolds with growth factor (n=12) or without it (n=12), against intact control (n=4) were implanted subcutaneously. Classical methods of histology and morphometry as well as immune histochemical markers (CD-68, CD-31, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and osteonectin expression), one used to investigate zone of remodeling in euthanized animals at 4 and 8 weeks after implantation. The BMP-2 application provides more intensive and rapid new cartilage formation from the scaffold matter. The additional chondroinductive effect proved more intensive settlement and proliferation of chondral cells in the regenerate, expression of chondral phenotype with the building the hyaline-like matrix, and the supporting necessary balance between the matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors. Keywords: cartilage tissue engineering; chitosan; MMP-9; TIMP-1; BMP-2; osteonectin; macrophages. Introduction. The essence of tissue engineering is the development and application of biomaterials for transplantation to replace tissues and functions nave been partially or completely lost. Materials and framing constructs (scaffolds), created for reconstructive cartilage surgery, are no exception. In this regard, they should have complete biocompatibility, support the vitality of the settled cells, transform into natural autologous matrix, and managed to change the structure and properties in response to the action of environmental factors (1, 2, 3, 4). Chitosan is deacylated form of chitin, which is widely distributed polymer of natural origin, it has a majority of the above properties, as was shown to be biomimetic to the osseous and cartilaginous tissues. Chitosan has gained popularity for various modifications of cartilage engineered scaffold due to availability of commodities for its production and ease enzymatic treatments to improve its physical and chemical properties (5, 6). It easily forms copolymers with other materials (silk, hydroxyapatite, polyalginate, polylactic acids, etc.), forming the porous