Tian Zhu Li, Cheng Zhe Jin, Byung Hyune Choi, Moon Suk Kim, Young Jick Kim, So Ra Park, Jeong Ho Yoon, Byoung-Hyun Min,
Advanced Functional Materials,Volume 22, Issue 20, pages 4292–4300, October 23, 2012
Cell Therapy Center, Ajou University Medical Center, 864–1 Iui-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 443–270, Korea
Division of Biomedical and Bioengineering Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine Jungseok B/D 7–241, Sinheung-dong, Choong-gu, Incheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 400–103, Korea
Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, San 5, Woncheon-dong Yeongtong-gu, Sowon-si, 443–749, Korea
Department of Physiology, Inha University College of Medicine, Jungseok B/D 7–241, Sinheung-dong, Choong-gu, Incheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 400–103, Korea
Regenprime Co. Ltd., Seoyeong plasa, 518–3, Uman-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 442–819, Korea
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, San 5, Woncheon-dong Yeongtong-gu, Sowon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 443–749, Korea
Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changle road 68, Nanjing, Jiangsu sheng, 210006, China
Abstract
Bone marrow stimulation techniques (BSTs) are widely used in clinics to treat cartilage defects, but yet have a critical limitation from the loss of blood clots. In this work, a novel cartilage extracellular matrix (CECM) membrane is developed to protect blood clots after BSTs. The CECM membrane was made of ECM fabricated naturally by cultured porcine chondrocytes, and then decellularized and multi-layered to confer optimal mechanical strength. Highly compatible with cells, the CECM membrane did not show any cytotoxicity or immune responses in vivo. The CECM membrane was very thin (30–60 um thick) and bendable, but had good tensile strength (85.64 N), suitable for protecting blood clots from leakage in rabbit cartilage defect. Moreover, the CECM membrane showed low but enough diffusion coefficient to allow delivery of small proteins in synovial fluid into the repaired tissue. In a beagle model, covering the cartilage defect with the CECM membrane after BST generated more hyaline cartilage-like tissues than the BST alone in histology and chemical analyses at 18 weeks. Its ICRS score was approximately 2.5 times higher than that of the BST alone. Therefore, the CECM membrane is proposed as a useful tool that can improve the outcome of BSTs to treat cartilage defects.
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