CHONDROCYTE TRANSPLANTATION

The transplantation of chondrocytes as a treatment to repair defects a nd degeneration in hyaline articular cartilage is being tested in nume rous laboratory and clinical settings. This has included transplanting chondrocytes grown in tissue culture that were procured from non-weig ht-bearing areas of the affected joint to transplanting allografts wit h living chondrocytes in their intact cartilaginous matrix. Reported s uccess with transplanting host and donor chondrocytes has varied and w idespread application of these techniques still awaits more definitive studies, The clinician needs more evidence that the transplanted chon drocytes maintain their viability and that they synthesize the appropr iate extracellular matrix. This new matrix needs to reproduce the func tional, mechanical, and long-term wear properties of the native articu lar cartilage. Chondrocyte transplantation also merits further monitor ing for possible delayed immunogenicity or for any signs of neoplastic potential. This exciting technology and its potential application to damaged and degenerated articular cartilage remains a stimulus to enco urage further scientific work. Duplicating the unique and complex inte rrelations of the chondrocytes, matrix, and various bioactive factors is still some years away from general patient care.