Field Of Articular Cartilage Repair Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of PVA-PEEK/PVA-β-TCP bilayered hydrogels for articular cartilage tissue repair

The poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel is regarded as a potential articular cartilage replacement for its good biocompatibility, high permeability to fluid and load-bearing properties. This work investigated a novel Poly(vinyl alcohol)-polyetheretherketone/Poly(vinyl alcohol)-β-tricalcium phosphate (PVA-PEEK/PVA-β-TCP) bilayered hydrogels by freezing-thawing with biomimetic properties for articular cartilage and subchondral bone is developed. The bilayered hydrogels microarchitecture consists of a highly porous and dense structure, and the internal structure were analyzed by micro-CT. The morphology of the resulting hydrogels was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the enhancement of the mechanical properties of the PVA-PEEK/PVA-β-TCP bilayered hydrogels were demonstrated by mechanical testing. The bilayered structure indicate that a good bonding exist between the two layers, which is known to be a requisite necessary to assure a good integrity and functionality of the osteochondral construct. In addition, in vitro cell culture studies revealed that the hydrogels has no negative effect on the cell viability and proliferation and possess good biocompatibility. Then, the bilayered hydrogels were implanted into the knee joint defect of rabbits and hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining. The PVA-PEEK/PVA-β-TCP bilayered hydrogels show good potential for use in the field of articular cartilage repair.

Articular Cartilage Repair: Where We Have Been, Where We Are Now, and Where We Are Headed.

This review traces the genealogy of the field of articular cartilage repair from its earliest attempts to its present day vast proliferation of research advances. Prior to the 1980s there was only sporadic efforts to regenerate articular cartilage as it was considered to be incapable of regeneration based on historical dogma. The first flurry of reports documented the use of various cell types ultimately leading to the first successful demonstration of autologous chondrocyte transplantation which was later translated to clinical use and has resulted in the revised axiom that cartilage regeneration is possible. The current field of cartilage repair is multifaceted and some of the 1980s’ vintage concepts have been revisited with state of the art technology now available. The future of the field is now poised to undertake the repair of whole cartilage surfaces beyond focal defects and an appreciation for integrated whole joint health to restore cartilage homeostasis.

The Application of Tissue Engineering Cartilage and Bracket Constructed Biomaterials for Athletic Injury

The development of tissue engineering techniques for cartilage repair and regeneration provided a new way, according to their own characteristics and structure of the cartilage, as artificial cartilage replacement materials and scaffold materials should have good biomechanical properties. The effect of autologous cartilage transplantation is best in the field of articular cartilage repair, the study of bone marrow stromal cells in vitro tests and animal experiments was more, and the clinical application was less, which is still in the stage of exploration. Biomaterials material for tissue repair plays a more and more important role, especially in athletic injury.

Chondroitin Sulfate Sulfation Motifs as Putative Biomarkers for Isolation of Articular Cartilage Progenitor Cells

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, debilitating joint disease characterized by progressive destruction of articular cartilage. Recently, a number of studies have identified a chondroprogenitor cell population within articular cartilage with significant potential for repair/regeneration. As yet, there are few robust biomarkers of these cells. In this study, we show that monoclonal antibodies recognizing novel chondroitin sulfate sulfation motif epitopes in glycosaminoglycans on proteoglycans can be used to identify metabolically distinct subpopulations of cells specifically within the superficial zone of the tissue and that flow cytometric analysis can recognize these cell subpopulations. Fluorochrome co-localization analysis suggests that the chondroitin sulfate sulphation motifs are associated with a range of cell and extracellular matrix proteoglycans within the stem cell niche that include perlecan and aggrecan but not versican. The unique distributions of these sulphation motifs within the microenvironment of superficial zone chondrocytes, seems to designate early stages of stem/progenitor cell differentiation and is consistent with these molecules playing a functional role in regulating aspects of chondrogenesis. The isolation and further characterization of these cells will lead to an improved understanding of the role novel chondroitin sulfate sulfation plays in articular cartilage development and may contribute significantly to the field of articular cartilage repair.

A new biotechnology for articular cartilage repair: subchondral implantation of a composite of interconnected porous hydroxyapatite, synthetic polymer (PLA-PEG), and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)

Articular cartilage repair remains a major obstacle in tissue engineering. We recently developed a novel tool for articular cartilage repair, consisting of a triple composite of an interconnected porous hydroxyapatite (IP-CHA), recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), and a synthetic biodegradable polymer [poly-d,l-lactic acid/polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG)] as a carrier for rhBMP-2. In the present study, we evaluated the capacity of the triple composite to induce the regeneration of articular cartilage. Full-thickness cartilage defects were created in the trochlear groove of 52 New Zealand White rabbits. Sixteen defects were filled with the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/PLA-PEG/IP-CHA composite (group I), 12 with PLA-PEG/IP-CHA (group II), 12 with IP-CHA alone (group III), and 12 were left empty (group IV). The animals were killed 1, 3, and 6 weeks after surgery, and the gross appearance of the defect sites was assessed. The harvested tissues were examined radiographically and histologically. One week after implantation with the BMP/PLA-PEG/IP-CHA composite (group I), vigorous repair had occurred in the subchondral defect. It contained an agglomeration of mesenchymal cells which had migrated from the surrounding bone marrow either directly, or indirectly via the interconnecting pores of the IP-CHA scaffold. At 6 weeks, these defects were completely repaired. The regenerated cartilage manifested a hyaline-like appearance, with a mature matrix and a columnar organization of chondrocytes. The triple composite of rhBMP-2, PLA-PEG, and IP-CHA promotes the repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects within as short a period as 3 weeks in the rabbit model. Hence, this novel cell-free implant biotechnology could mark a new development in the field of articular cartilage repair.

Cartilage substitutes: overview of basic science and treatment options.

Articular cartilage defects that are symptomatic and refractory to nonoperative treatment represent a clinical management challenge. Although there have been important advances in stimulating intrinsic repair mechanisms, cartilage regeneration, and other substitution techniques, to date none has unlocked the understanding necessary to duplicate normal articular cartilage. The objectives of treatment of cartilage lesions are to obtain pain relief, reduce effusions and inflammation, restore function, reduce disability, and postpone or alleviate the need for prosthetic replacement. As the field of articular cartilage repair continues to evolve rapidly, the most appropriate treatment option for an individual patient should be based on the pathologic characteristics of the lesion and the patient's symptoms and expectations. The orthopaedic surgeon needs to be familiar with both the existing and the newly emerging cartilage treatment techniques in order to best educate patients and meet their expectations for long-term benefits.