A cell-free approach with a supporting biomaterial in the form of dispersed microspheres induces hyaline cartilage formation in a rabbit knee model

The objective of this study was to test a regenerative medicine strategy for the regeneration of articular cartilage. This approach combines microfracture of the subchondral bone with the implant at the site of the cartilage defect of a supporting biomaterial in the form of microspheres aimed at cre...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Zurriaga Carda, Javier, Lastra, Maria L, Antolinos-Turpin, Carmen M, Morales-Roman, Rosa M, Sancho-Tello, Maria, Perea-Ruiz, Sofia, Milian, Lara, Fernandez, Juan M, Cortizo, Ana M, Carda, Carmen, Gallego-Ferrer, Gloria, Gomez Ribelles, Jose L
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2020
Country:España
Institution:INCLIVA
Repository:r-INCLIVA. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica de INCLIVA
OAI Identifier:oai:incliva.fundanetsuite.com:p4020
Online Access:https://incliva.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/4020
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:articular cartilage regeneration
cartilage engineering
chitosan
microspheres
polylactide
rabbit knee model
Description
Summary:The objective of this study was to test a regenerative medicine strategy for the regeneration of articular cartilage. This approach combines microfracture of the subchondral bone with the implant at the site of the cartilage defect of a supporting biomaterial in the form of microspheres aimed at creating an adequate biomechanical environment for the differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells that migrate from the bone marrow. The possible inflammatory response to these biomaterials was previously studied by means of the culture of RAW264.7 macrophages. The microspheres were implanted in a 3 mm-diameter defect in the trochlea of the femoral condyle of New Zealand rabbits, covering them with a poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) membrane manufactured by electrospinning. Experimental groups included a group where exclusively PLLA microspheres were implanted, another group where a mixture of 50/50 microspheres of PLLA (hydrophobic and rigid) and others of chitosan (a hydrogel) were used, and a third group used as a control where no material was used and only the membrane was covering the defect. The histological characteristics of the regenerated tissue have been evaluated 3 months after the operation. We found that during the regeneration process the microspheres, and the membrane covering them, are displaced by the neoformed tissue in the regeneration space toward the subchondral bone region, leaving room for the formation of a tissue with the characteristics of hyaline cartilage.