Culture of cells gained from temporomandibular joint cartilage on non-absorbable scaffolds

The objective of this study was to investigate the adhesion, spreading and extracellular matrix synthesis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) derived cel ls on non-absorbable scaffold materials to ultimately provide a durable str ess-absorbent framework within tissue-engineered disc transplants. Scaffold s were prepared by polyamide monofilaments, expanded polytetrafluoroethylen e, (ePTFE) monofilaments, polyglycolic acid monofilaments (control) or natu ral bone mineral blocks (control). These scaffolds were incubated for 2, 4 and 8 weeks under common culture conditions with cells (human and porcine) harvested from the TMJ-disc or the articular eminence. The specimens were e xamined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscop y. The type of collagen synthesized was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The cells wer e strongly adherent to all of the materials. Independent of their origin th e cells became confluent on all scaffolds within four weeks. They filled re cesses loosely and covered the constructs by an envelope of dense stratifie d cell layers. Moreover, the cells expressed collagen type II, which is spe cific for chondrocytes. Thus, it could be demonstrated, that ePTFE, polyami de, polyglycolic acid and natural bone mineral have an excellent compatibil ity in a three-dimensional cell culture system. ePTFE and polyamide scaffol ds may be well suited for the development of tissue-engineered stress-resis tant articular disc transplants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.