Abstract:

Objective   To examine the effects of simultaneous application of Nano-Tricalcium phosphate(N-TCP) artificial bone and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)plus the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and insulin-growth factor-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ) in repairing articular cartilage defects. Methods   MSCs isolated from the bone marrow of New Zealand white rabbits were cultured in vitro and induced to chondrocytes. Auricular cartilages of allogenic rabbits were firstly decellularized and then integrated with N-TCP composite artificial bone in forming N-TCP-DC matrix scaffolds. Then the chondrocytes were loaded into the scaffolds. TGF-βand IGF-Ⅰwere added to repair the knee-joint cartilage defects. In experimental animals, 18 knee-joint articular cartilage defects were created. the defects were treated using N-TCP-DC matrix scaffolds with TGF-βand IGF-Ⅰ(n=8) in comparison to controls of N-TCP-DC matrix scaffolds alone(n=6) and no engineered cartilage implants at all(n=4). Results   BMSCs grew stably, reproduced vigorously and could be induced into chondrocytes in vitro. The auricular cartilages were completely decellularized and the cartilage lacunae arrayed orderly. Around the 20th week, with the white translucent scaffold filling the articular cartilage defects, the newly formed cartilage in the experimental group connected well with the normal cartilage revealing similar color with that of the normal cartilage.Conclusion   Being a porous structure, N-TCP-DC matrix scaffold is significant in regard to its rapid degradation ability, good histocompatibility and cell adhesive ability, making it a promising candidate for the cartilage tissue-engineering applications.

Key words: Nano-tricalcium phosphate; Growth factor; Decellularized cartilage; Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Cartilage defects