CARTILAGE PRODUCTION BY RABBIT ARTICULAR CHONDROCYTES ON POLYGLYCOLICACID SCAFFOLDS IN A CLOSED BIOREACTOR SYSTEM

Rabbit articular chondrocytes were seeded onto three-dimensional polyg lycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds and placed into a closed bioreactor syste m. After 4 weeks of growth, meshes were examined for cartilage formati on. Gross examination revealed solid, glistening material that had the appearance of cartilaginous tissue. Histologic examination revealed c ell growth and deposition of extracellular matrix throughout the mesh with a less dense central core. Alcian blue and Safranin 0 staining sh owed deposition of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Immunostaining showed po sitive reactivity for type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate and no reactivity for type I collagen. Biochemical analysis showed collagen a nd GAG values to be 15% and 25% dry weight, respectively. Our results indicate that this type of system compares well with those previously described and should be useful for producing cartilage for evaluation in a clinical setting. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.