Repair of human articular cartilage after implantation of autologous chondrocytes

Tissue engineering is an increasingly popular I method of addressing pathol ogical disorders of cartilage. Recent studies have demonstrated its clinica l efficacy, but there is little information on the structural organisation and blochemical composition of the repair tissue and its relation to the ad jacent. normal tissue. We therefore analysed by polarised light microscopy and immunohistochemistry biopsies of repair tissue which had been taken 12 months after implantation of autologous chondrocytes in two patients with d efects of articular cartilage. Our findings showed zonal heterogeneity throughout the repair tissue. The d eeper zone resembled hyaline-like articular cartilage whereas the upper zon e was more fibrocartilaginous. The results indicate that. within 12 months autologous chondrocyte implantation successfully produces replacement carti lage tissue, a major past of which resembles normal hyaline cartilage.