ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the potential applications of a chamber for in vivo tissue engineering,and to establish a novel model for in vivo tissue-engineered cartilage.Methods Auricular chondrocytes were isolated,cultured and identified from the ears cartilages of New Zealand white rab bits; rabbit auricular chondrocytes(RACs) were seeded into the scaffolds:(1) RACs were seeded into collagen gel scaffold; (2) RACs were seeded into PLGA/collagen gel scaffold in vitro,and the compos ites were placed into the chambers and implanted in the donor rabbit.As control groups,the composites were implanted directly subcutaneously in the donor rabbit without using chambers,and the contents were harvested at 8 weeks after implantation.Gross examination,histologic and immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR test were performed to evaluate the harvested contents.Results Under the same conditions inside the chambers,the contents formed into new cartilage-like tissue by histo logical and immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR.In contrast,in the control groups without chambers displayed vascular invasion and inflammatory reaction in the subcutaneous layer of skin,which eventually led to fibrous tissue or absorption.Conclusions Cartilage is successfully constructed in an immunocompetent animal model using a bioinert perforated chamber.This method is effective in creating a relatively favorable environment for cartilage regeneration,which may provide a valuable reference for the clinical application of tissue regeneration.