A Novel Model for Studying Human Articular Cartilage Integration In Vitro

Enders JT1, Otto TJ, Peters HC1, Wu J1, Moed BR1, +Zhang Z1 +1Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO Senior author [email protected] INTRODUCTION: Cartilage repair continues to be a challenge, despite the progress made in engineering cartilage. One of the major obstacles hindering progression is the integration of the engineered constructs with the recipient cartilage. Cartilage integration is a unique, complex tissue repair process, involving cell proliferation, apoptosis and matrix production. It is necessary to develop an in vitro model which simulates the biological process of cartilage repair and offers access to therapeutic manipulation. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel in vitro approach, which can be conveniently applied to improve the integration of tissue engineered cartilage with articular cartilage. This model, a cartilage integration construct, consists of a cartilage explant and isolated chondrocytes.