B. Grigolo et al., Transplantation of chondrocytes seeded on a hyaluronan derivative (Hyaff (R)-11) into cartilage defects in rabbits, BIOMATERIAL, 22(17), 2001, pp. 2417-2424
Different methods have been used to improve chondrocyte transplantation for
the repair of articular cartilage defects. Several groups of biomaterials
have been proposed as support for in vitro cell growth and for in vivo impl
antation. Here, we describe a new approach investigating the healing of rab
bit cartilage by means of autologous chondrocytes seeded on a hyaluronan de
rivative referred to as Hyaff(R)-11. Full thickness defects were created bi
laterally in the weight-bearing Surface of the medial femoral condyle of bo
th femora of New Zealand male rabbits. The wounds were then repaired using
both chondrocytes seeded on the biomaterial and biomaterial alone. Controls
were similarly treated but received either no treatment or implants of the
delivery substance. Histologic samples from in and around the defect sites
were examined 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery and were scored from 0 to 16
. Statistically significant differences in the quality of the regenerated t
issue were found between the grafts carried out with biomaterial carrying c
hondrocyte cells compared to the biomaterial alone or controls. This study
demonstrates the efficacy of this hyaluronan-based scaffold for autologous
chondrocytes transplantation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res
erved.