Optimization of chondrocyte isolation and phenotype characterization for cartilage tissue engineering

Current protocols for chondrocyte isolation are inconsistent, resulting in suboptimal cell yield and compromised cell quality. Thus, there is a need for an improved isolation protocol that is able to give a maximum yield with optimal cell viability while preserving the chondrocyte phenotype. In light of this, we developed an improved isolation protocol based on enzymatic digestion using 0.1% (w/v) collagenase II. Different from existing methods of digesting minced cartilage for a prolonged period (usually 14-16 h), we performed two additional digestions, with a 5- and 3-h interval in between. The results showed that this multiple digestion method was able to yield a total number of cells that are more than a fivefold increase as compared to any of the common isolation protocols. More importantly, a high percentage of the isolated cells remained viable. Furthermore, an evaluation of the effect of additional digestions on chondrocyte phenotype indicated that cells harvested from the second and third digestion showed a comparable or higher proliferative capacity than the first digestion and all the cells expressed chondrocyte-specific markers tested, with cells from the third digestion showing exceptionally high gene expression levels for collagen type II (Col II), aggrecan, and COMP. Additionally, their ability to produce collagen type II as well as their morphology were not affected by the two additional digestions. Taken together, the results suggested that the use of this isolation protocol resulted in a higher cell yield and the quality of the isolated cells was maintained. Hence, we recommend this isolation protocol to be employed for more efficient cell harvesting especially from limited biopsied cartilage tissue samples.