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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
Matrix-assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation for Remodeling and Repair of Chondral Defects in a Rabbit Model
Published on: May 21, 2013
Tissue engineering of stratified articular cartilage from chondrocyte subpopulations
T J Klein1, B L Schumacher, T A Schmidt
1Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Objective:
To test if subpopulations of chondrocytes from different cartilage zones could be used to engineer cartilage constructs with features of normal stratification. ESIGN: Chondrocytes from the superficial and middle zones of immature bovine cartilage were cultured in alginate, released, and seeded either separately or sequentially to form cartilage constructs. Constructs were cultured for 1 or 2 weeks and were assessed for growth, compressive properties, and deposition, and localization of matrix molecules and superficial zone protein (SZP).
Results:
The cartilaginous constructs formed from superficial zone chondrocytes exhibited less matrix growth and lower compressive properties than constructs from middle zone chondrocytes, with the stratified superficial-middle constructs exhibiting intermediate properties. Expression of SZP was highest at the construct surfaces, with the localization of SZP in superficial-middle constructs being concentrated at the superficial surface.
Conclusions:
Manipulation of subpopulations of chondrocytes can be useful in engineering cartilage tissue with a biomimetic approach, and in fabricating constructs that exhibit stratified features of normal articular cartilage.
