O1413 OSTEOCHONDRAL REGENERATION BY AUTOLOGOUS BONE MARROW-DERIVED MESENCHYMAL PROGENITOR CELLS IN BIODEGRADABLE MATRICES

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this work is to present regenerative potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) combined with biodegradable matrices in goat knee osteochondral defect. Methods: Adult goat’s bone marrow aspirates where fractionated and adherent cultures were established. After two weeks of culture, nearly confluent cells were detached and resuspended to concentrations of 10 x 106 cells/mL. Cells were loaded onto PGA-PLLA scaffolds with negative pressure to allow uniform distribution. Such autologous constructs were incubated and than implanted into osteochondral knee defects. Empty scaffolds served as a control in contralateral knee. At the time of implantation (time “zero”), replicate scaffolds were evaluated for histological appearance. After 4 and 12 weeks, implants were removed and evaluated by the tissue scoring system. Results: Time “zero” histology revealed uniformly distributed cells. At 4-week time point implants did not exhibited satisfactory integration with surrounding tissue, and most of the upper tissue was the type of hyaline-like cartilage. At 12-week time point, most of the upper tissues were hyaline-like cartilage, while lower parts were filled with bone, however not all of them showed good integration. Conclusions: The results of this work revealed osteochondral potential of autologous MPC in goat cartilage defect. It is clear, that further studies are needed to improve integration of scaffolds with surrounding tissue.