Rm. Sawtell et al., AN IN-VITRO INVESTIGATION OF THE PEMA THFMA SYSTEM USING CHONDROCYTE CULTURE/, Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 6(12), 1995, pp. 676-679
Adult articular cartilage has a limited capacity for self-repair and a
biomaterial to aid the process would be ideal. The polymer system, po
ly(ethyl methacrylate)/tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (PEMA/THFMA) ha
s shown potential in a rabbit model for such a role. The ability of th
e polymer system to support chondrocytes in vitro was investigated by
light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and biochemical ass
ays. The PEMA/THFMA system maintained chondrocytes in agarose in a via
ble state with more glycosaminoglycan (GAG) produced per unit DNA afte
r 14 days in culture compared to the tissue culture plastic control. C
hondrocytes remained rounded on the polymer system surface as opposed
to well spread on the Thermanox. The PEMA/THFMA system has been shown
to be biocompatible for bovine chondrocytes maintaining them in a diff
erentiated state with enhanced GAG production.