Primary research of repairing large articular cartilage defect by tissue-engineering cartilage in rabbits

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of repairing the whole layer defects of tibial plateau by implanting tissue-engineering cartilage.

Methods: The chondrocytes of 2-week-old rabbits were cultured and transferred to the 3rd generation, and mixed with human placenta collagen-sponge. The whole layer defects of tibial plateau in adult rabbits were repaired by the tissue-engineering cartilage in the experimental group; the defects were left un-repaired in control group. The repair results of defects were observed after 4, 12 and 24 weeks.

Results: In experimental group, no obvious new cartilage formation was seen 4 weeks after operation; some new cartilage formation was found after 12 weeks. Histological observation showed that chondrocytes had irregular edge, honeycombing structure and that cartilage cavities formed around the chondrocytes. After 24 weeks, obvious new cartilage formation was found with smooth surface, and linked with the tissues around it, but the defect was not repaired completely; histological results showed that cartilage cavities formed and that cartilage matrix was stained positively for toluidine blue. In control group, the defect was not repaired.

Conclusions: The tissue-engineering cartilage can repair the defects of the whole layer cartilage of tibial plateau in rabbits, it is feasible to repair the whole layer cartilage defects of tibial plateau by this method.