AN IN-VITRO INVESTIGATION OF THE PEMA THFMA SYSTEM USING CHONDROCYTE CULTURE/

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.