Repair of articular cartilage by using induced autogeneic mesenchymal cells derived from bone marrow in rabbits / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the tissus implanted into the damaged articular cartilage of rabbits with induced autogeneic mesenchymal cells. Methods The autologous mesenchymal cells derived from bone marrow of New Zealand rabbits were harvested. With basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF， 25 ng/ml) and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-? 1， 2 ng/ml)， the cells were induced and expanded in cell culture. The induced cells with absorbable gelatin sponge as a carrier were then implanted into the damaged articular cartilage in rabbits as experimental group. The absorbable gelatin sponge without cells were served as control. Specimens were harvested at the end of 4, 12 and 24 week after implantation, and were stained with toluidine blue. Results By RT- PCR, it was confirmed that there was expression of typeⅡ procollagen mRNA in the induced mesenchymal cell. After implantation, it was difficult to macroscopically distinguish the repaired tissues from the normal cartilaginous tissue in the experimental group in 24 weeks. While the defect of articular cartilage was filled with white and swampy tissue in the control group at the same time. Histologically, the defective area of the articular cartilage was replaced by the formation of neo- cartilage which showed positive staining of toluidine blue in 4 weeks in the experimental group. The neo- cartilage was modeled to normal cartilage tissues in 12 weeks and was similar to the surrounding cartilage in 24 weeks. But in the control group, the defect of articular cartilage was not repaired by cartilage tissue at every stage and were replaced by fibrocartilage which was shown weakly positive staining of toluidine blue in 24 weeks. Conclusion The transplant of the induced autogeneic mesenchymal cells derived from bone marrow might promote repair of articular cartilage, and restore its structure and function.