In vitro engineering of cartilage

Because adult human cartilage shows poor capacity for repair and regenerati on innovative solutions are required for congenital and acquired degenerati ve cartilage lesions. Acquired lesions occur in young and old alike, the fo rmer being more at risk for sports-related injuries and the latter for age- related degenerative changes, Because cartilage is a relatively simple tiss ue with respect to its cellular homogeneity and avascularity, it has been a model for research of in vitro engineered tissues. Progress has been slow and obstructed on several levels. The adult chondrocyte has Limited capacit y for proliferation and has both catabolic and anabolic functions. These me tabolic features must be controlled in order for engineered tissue to endur e. Use of three-dimensional scaffolds can be combined with regulatory facto rs (cytokine, extracellular matrix [ECM], and mechanical) to optimize condi tions for in vitro engineered cartilage. Cross-disciplinary interactions ar e likely to accelerate progress and to mediate application of advances made in other fields for consistently successful in vitro engineering of cartil age for all clinical needs.