J Knee Surg 2004; 17(1): 6-12
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247140
Original Article

© 2004 Thieme Medical Publishers

Restoration of Arthritic Cartilage Defects Using Autologous Chondrocytes Transplantation is Superior to Cartilage-Paste Graft in Rabbits

Eitan Melamed1 , Dror Robinson1, 2 , Nahum Halperin1 , Zvi Nevo2
  • 1The Department of Orthopedics, Assaf Harofe Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
  • 2The Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 January 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

This study compared the articular cartilage repair potential of cultured chondrocytes transplantation with bone-cartilage paste-graft in the resurfacing of full-thickness defects without breaching of the subchondral bone plate in rabbit knees.

A 5×5-mm articular cartilage defect was created in the patellar groove of the femur. Three months following creation, the defect was filled with cultured autologous chondrocytes (group 1) or bone-cartilage paste (group 2). A control group of untreated defects was followed for 1 year.

The reparative tissue was analyzed macroscopically, histologically, and by immunohistochemistry 3-12 months post-transplantation. The surfaces of the reparative tissue in group 1 were smooth, and the defects were filled with reparative tissue that resembled hyaline cartilage. The composition of the repair tissue more closely resembled cartilage, as demonstrated by cartilage-specific stains. In contrast, the reparative tissue in group 2 was fibrous and exhibited markers of mesenchymal stem cells and bone formation.

Transplantation of cultured chondrocytes into a fullthickness defect in the rabbit generates a biologic substitute tissue that resembles native articular cartilage with living cells capable of synthesizing the surrounding cartilage matrix. In contrast, analysis of the healing response to the paste-graft technique failed to show cartilage-like characteristics. This information may be clinically applicable to direct the use of these treatments in chondral injuries.