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Human Cartilage Tissue Fabrication Using Three-dimensional Inkjet Printing Technology
Published on: June 10, 2014
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A scaffold-free cartilage construct fabricated using a bio 3D printer accelerates critical-size bone defect
Hiromu Yoshizato1,2, Daiki Murata1, Shohei Kashimoto1,2
1Center for Regenerative Medicine Research, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.
Journal of Orthopaedic Translation
|March 9, 2026
Summary
This study demonstrates that scaffold-free cartilage constructs from rat adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells effectively regenerate critical-size bone defects. This novel approach mimics endochondral ossification, offering a promising solution for bone repair without scaffold complications.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Critical-size bone defects (CSDs) pose significant treatment challenges, often requiring autologous bone grafts with associated donor site morbidity.
- Current bone regeneration strategies using mesenchymal stem cells and scaffolds face limitations like chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
- Novel therapeutic approaches mimicking endochondral ossification are needed to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scaffold-free therapeutic strategy for CSDs using bio-3D printed cartilage constructs.
- To evaluate the bone regenerative potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs) in a rat femur defect model.
- To assess the efficacy of AT-MSC-derived chondrocyte constructs in promoting bone healing via endochondral ossification.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of scaffold-free cartilage constructs from rat AT-MSCs using a bio-3D printer.
- Induction of chondrogenesis in the constructs prior to implantation.
- Creation of a 5-mm CSD in the rat femur diaphysis and implantation of constructs (MSC-Ch group).
- Comparison with control groups: defect only (Defect group) and undifferentiated MSCs (MSC group).
- Assessment of bone regeneration using computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis at 6 and 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- The MSC-Ch group showed significantly higher bone volume/total volume ratios compared to Defect and MSC groups at both 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.01).
- Histological analysis revealed robust new cortical and cancellous bone formation with bone bridging in the MSC-Ch group.
- The Defect and MSC groups exhibited limited new bone formation, primarily at the defect periphery, with central regions showing adipose and fibrous tissue infiltration.
- Histological scores were significantly higher in the MSC-Ch group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Scaffold-free cartilage constructs derived from AT-MSCs effectively promote critical-size bone defect healing by mimicking endochondral ossification.
- This study presents the first successful regeneration of a long bone CSD using AT-MSCs via this pathway.
- Further validation in larger animal models is necessary for clinical translation, but the approach shows promise for various bone defect applications.
