Comparison of Regenerative Tissue Quality following Matrix-Associated Cell Implantation Using Amplified Chondrocytes Compared to Synovium-Derived Stem Cells in a Rabbit Model for Cartilage Lesions

• Published in: Stem cells international Vol. 2018; no. 2018; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Kubosch, Eva J., Südkamp, Norbert P., Böttiger, Katharina, Bernstein, Anke, Seidenstuecker, Michael, Kassem, Moustapha, Kowal, Justyna M., Schmal, Hagen, Xiong, Tanshiyue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2018; Hindawi; Hindawi Limited; Wiley
• Subjects: Amplification; Arthritis; Autografts; Autologous chondrocyte implantation; Biocompatibility; Biomechanics; Biomedical materials; Bone marrow; Carprofen; Cartilage; Cell culture; Chondrocytes; Collagen; Comparative analysis; Defects; Femur; Glucose; Implantation; Knee; Lesions; Orthopedic surgery; Penicillin; Rabbits; Regeneration; Repair; Shear modulus; Stem cells; Synovium; Vitamin C; Denmark; United States > US; Germany
• ISSN: 1687-966X; 1687-9678; 1687-9678
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/4142031

Known problems of the autologous chondrocyte implantation motivate the search for cellular alternatives. The aim of the study was to test the potential of synovium-derived stem cells (SMSC) to regenerate cartilage using a matrix-associated implantation. In an osteochondral defect model of the medial femoral condyle in a rabbit, a collagen membrane was seeded with either culture-expanded allogenic chondrocytes or SMSC and then transplanted into the lesion. A tailored piece synovium served as a control. Rabbit SMSC formed typical cartilage in vitro. Macroscopic evaluation of defect healing and the thickness of the regenerated tissue did not reveal a significant difference between the intervention groups. However, instantaneous and shear modulus, reflecting the biomechanical strength of the repair tissue, was superior in the implantation group using allogenic chondrocytes (p<0.05). This correlated with a more chondrogenic structure and higher proteoglycan expression, resulting in a lower OARSI score (p<0.05). The repair tissue of all groups expressed comparable amounts of the collagen types I, II, and X. Cartilage regeneration following matrix-associated implantation using allogenic undifferentiated synovium-derived stem cells in a defect model in rabbits showed similar macroscopic results and collagen composition compared to amplified chondrocytes; however, biomechanical characteristics and histological scoring were inferior.