Abstract
Superficial and middle/deep zone chondrocytes were isolated from goat femoral cartilage by a zonal abrasion method. The cells were expanded 100-fold through two passages, then seeded into agarose wells to form high-density constructs through a self-assembling process. After 4 weeks in culture, the superficial zone constructs contracted into a dense cell mass, while middle/deep zone chondrocytes formed constructs with four distinct regions. Middle/deep zone chondrocytes produced 250% more glycosaminoglycans per dry weight and more collagen per dry weight than superficial zone chondrocytes. The superficial and middle/deep zone chondrocytes were found to retain characteristic differences even after 100-fold expansion, as evidenced by construct morphology and extracellular matrix content. This study uniquely demonstrated the ability of expanded superficial and middle/deep zone chondrocytes to form constructs of distinct characteristics without a scaffold. The goal of tissue engineering different zones of cartilage is to eventually replicate the specific function of each zone.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 133-140 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Connective Tissue Research |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Articular cartilage
- Cartilage zones
- Extracellular matrix
- Self-assembling process
- Tissue engineering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine