Growth of tissue-engineered human nasoseptal cartilage in simulated microgravity.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of in vitro fabrication of tissue-engineered cartilage from human nasoseptal chondrocytes for autologous reconstruction. DESIGN Hyaline cartilage was reconstituted from chondrocyte-polyglycolic acid scaffolding constructs in a 3-dimensional mammalian cell culture cascade. This included monolayer cellular amplification, cell seeding in the spinner flask, and tissue growth in simulated microgravity. RESULTS The quality of the fabricated cartilage analogue was found to depend on the initial cell density, duration of incubation, and bioreactor type. Dynamic seeding was nearly completed within the first 10 hours of inoculation regardless of the cell source (cryogenically preserved vs fresh chondrocytes) or presence of serum. A duration of incubation in excess of 4 weeks was required for complete matrix biosynthesis at low seeding densities in the spinner flasks. Seeding densities greater than 2.3x10(6) chondrocytes per scaffold were required for early hyaline cartilage formation as well as longer-time mature matrix regeneration. In addition, maintaining the structural integrity of the unreinforced scaffold, which is necessary for continued mature matrix regeneration, was achievable through postseeding tissue growth in simulated microgravity. CONCLUSION Once combined with polyglycolic acid scaffolds in the bioreactor cascades that allow efficient seeding and quiescent tissue growth, human septal chondrocytes become a valuable source of reproducible ex vivo cartilage regeneration in the laboratory.