[Culturing autologous cartilage tissue for reconstructive surgery: possibilities and limits]

The engineering of cartilage tissue in vitro for transplantation requires new concepts in cell culture technology. In this study a new approach is presented for an in vitro formation of cartilage transplants. First isolated chondrocytes obtained from a cartilage biopsy have to be substantially increased using monolayer culture systems. In contrast to cell amplification, the development of cartilage depends on a three-dimensional arrangement of cells and the formation or synthesis of an appropriate extracellular matrix. Bioresorbable polymer fleeces of polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid can be used as temporary cell carrier matrices to establish three-dimensional cultures of human chondrocytes. Furthermore, a perfusion culture system to provide a constant supply of nutrient into the cultures is also advantageous. With the described culture procedure, the chondrocytes maintained a differentiated phenotype showing a synthesis of new cartilage matrix. After transplantation in nude mice the pieces of solid cartilage are not resorbed or rejected and remain intact. The experiments demonstrate a promising pathway for in vitro engineering of vital tissues suitable to be used as autologous transplants in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck.