Introduction: The purpose of this work is to create an in vitro model of engineered osteochondral composite by combining a cylinder of calcium phosphate and cartilage tissue produced by isolated swine articular chondrocytes seeded onto fibrin glue.

Methods: Swine articular chondrocytes were enzimatically isolated and seeded onto fibrin glue. Immediately before gel polymerization, the fibrin glue was placed in contact with the cylinders of calcium phosphate. The osteochondral composites were left in standard culture conditions for 1,3,6 weeks. At the end of experimental times the samples were macroscopically analysed and processed for histological evaluation.

Results: Preliminary data showed a macroscopically integrity of the osteochondral samples. Histology showed cartilage like tissue maturing within the fibrin glue scaffold.

Discussion: The results demonstrate that isolated chondrocytes, seeded onto fibrin glue, produce a cartilage-like matrix that integrates with a cylinder of calcium phosphate.

This tissue engineered osteochondral composite could represent a valuable model for further in vivo studies on the repair of osteochondral lesions.