This project was funded by the German Research Association (DFG, HE 4578/3-1).

A. Cartilage Biopsy (Surgery Room; Steps 1-5 in Non-sterile Preparation Room)
<ol>
	<li>Perform a final weight control of the rabbit (New Zealand White rabbit, female, 3.5-4.0 kg body weight, 6 months old) in order to be able to dose drugs properly and to monitor weight subsequent to surgery.</li>
	<li>Induce anesthesia to the rabbit by an intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg propofol.</li>
	<li>After intubation, maintain anesthesia with 1.5 mg/kg/min propofol and 0.05 mg/kg fentanyl intravenously. Monitor anesthesia by u...

<ol>
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M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+dependence+of+autologous+chondrocyte+transplantation+on+varying+cellular+passage,+yield+and+culture+duration.">The dependence of autologous chondrocyte transplantation on varying cellular passage, yield and culture duration.</a> Biomaterials. 32, 5810-5818 (2011).</li><li>Frohlich, M., Malicev, E., Gorensek, M., Knezevic, M., Kregar Velikonja, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+rabbit+auricular+chondrocyte+isolation+and+growth+parameters+in+cell+culture.">Evaluation of rabbit auricular chondrocyte isolation and growth parameters in cell culture.</a> Cell Biol. Int. 31, 620-625 (2007).</li><li>Willers, C., Chen, J., Wood, D., Xu, J., Zheng, M. 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J. Radiol. 57, 24-31 (2006).</li><li>Benya, P. D., Shaffer, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dedifferentiated+chondrocytes+reexpress+the+differentiated+collagen+phenotype+when+cultured+in+agarose+gels.">Dedifferentiated chondrocytes reexpress the differentiated collagen phenotype when cultured in agarose gels.</a> Cell. 30, 215-224 (1982).</li><li>Rudert, M., Hirschmann, F., Wirth, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Growth+behavior+of+chondrocytes+on+various+biomaterials.">Growth behavior of chondrocytes on various biomaterials.</a> Orthopade. 28, 68-75 (1999).</li><li>Hsu, S. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+biodegradable+polyesters+modified+by+type+II+collagen+and+Arg-Gly-Asp+as+Tissue+Engineering+scaffolding+materials+for+cartilage+regeneration.">Evaluation of biodegradable polyesters modified by type II collagen and Arg-Gly-Asp as Tissue Engineering scaffolding materials for cartilage regeneration.</a> Artificial Organs. 30, 42-55 (2006).</li><li>Brun, P., Cortivo, R., Zavan, B., Vecchiato, N., Abatangelo, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro++reconstructed+tissues+on+hyaluronan-based+temporary+scaffolding.">In vitro reconstructed tissues on hyaluronan-based temporary scaffolding.</a> J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 10, 683-688 (1999).</li><li>Domm, C., Fay, J., Schunke, M., Kurz, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Redifferentiation+of+dedifferentiated+joint+cartilage+cells+in+alginate+culture.+Effect+of+intermittent+hydrostatic+pressure+and+low+oxygen+partial+pressure.">Redifferentiation of dedifferentiated joint cartilage cells in alginate culture. Effect of intermittent hydrostatic pressure and low oxygen partial pressure.</a> Orthopade. 29, 91-99 (2000).</li><li>Kimura, T., Yasui, N., Ohsawa, S., Ono, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chondrocytes+embedded+in+collagen+gels+maintain+cartilage+phenotype+during+long-term+cultures.">Chondrocytes embedded in collagen gels maintain cartilage phenotype during long-term cultures.</a> Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. , 231-239 (1984).</li><li>Kon, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Second-generation+autologous+chondrocyte+implantation:+results+in+patients+older+than+40+years.">Second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation: results in patients older than 40 years.</a> Am. J. Sports Med. 39, 1668-1675 (2011).</li><li>Gavenis, K., Schmidt-Rohlfing, B., Mueller-Rath, R., Andereya, S., Schneider, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+comparison+of+six+different+matrix+systems+for+the+cultivation+of+human+chondrocytes.">In vitro comparison of six different matrix systems for the cultivation of human chondrocytes.</a> In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. Anim. 42, 159-167 (2006).</li><li>Niemeyer, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characteristic+complications+after+autologous+chondrocyte+implantation+for+cartilage+defects+of+the+knee+joint.">Characteristic complications after autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage defects of the knee joint.</a> Am. J. Sports Med. 36, 2091-2099 (2008).</li><li>Tay, L. X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Treatment+outcomes+of+alginate-embedded+allogenic+mesenchymal+stem+cells+versus+autologous+chondrocytes+for+the+repair+of+focal+articular+cartilage+defects+in+a+rabbit+model.">Treatment outcomes of alginate-embedded allogenic mesenchymal stem cells versus autologous chondrocytes for the repair of focal articular cartilage defects in a rabbit model.</a> The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 40, 83-90 (2012).</li><li>Brittberg, M., Nilsson, A., Lindahl, A., Ohlsson, C., Peterson, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rabbit+articular+cartilage+defects+treated+with+autologous+cultured+chondrocytes.">Rabbit articular cartilage defects treated with autologous cultured chondrocytes.</a> Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. , 270-283 (1996).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The presented protocol provides an established 9,12,13 and easily reproducible technique to isolate autologous chondrocytes for subsequent proliferation and re-implantation into artificially created cartilage defects in rabbit knees. The use of autologous chondrocytes for remodeling and repair of articular cartilage lesions is already in clinical use providing satisfying long-term results 6.
Major problems as for example periosteal hypertrophy and calcification, graft del...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of reagent/equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Biochrom AG</td>
			<td>F 0415</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase A</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>10 103 586 001</td>
			<td>0.21 U/mg</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal calf serum (FCS)</td>
			<td>PAN Biotech GmbH</td>
			<td>3702-P103009</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Propofol</td>
			<td>Fresenius Kabi</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Biochrom AG</td>
			<td>A 2213</td>
			<td>10,000 U/ml/10,000 &mu;g/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS Dulbecco (1X)</td>
			<td>Biochrom AG</td>
			<td>L1815</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol (70%)</td>
			<td>Merck KgaA</td>
			<td>410230</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA 0.25 %/0.02 %</td>
			<td>Biochrom AG</td>
			<td>L2163</td>
			<td>in PBS w/o Ca2+, Mg2+</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fentanyl</td>
			<td>Delta Select GmBH</td>
			<td>1819340</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl solution (0.9%)</td>
			<td>Bbraun</td>
			<td>8333A193</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture dishes 100 mm/150 mm</td>
			<td>TPP AG</td>
			<td>93100/93150</td>
			<td>Growth area 60.1 mm2/147.8 mm2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture flasks 25/75 mm2</td>
			<td>TPP AG</td>
			<td>90025/90075</td>
			<td>25 mm2, 75 mm2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge Tubes (50 ml)</td>
			<td>TPP AG</td>
			<td>91050</td>
			<td>Gamma-sterilized</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemocytometer</td>
			<td>Brand GmbH+Co KG</td>
			<td>717810</td>
			<td>Neubauer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypan Blue Solution 0.4%</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>L8154</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spray dressing (OpSite)</td>
			<td>Smith&amp;Nephew</td>
			<td>66004978</td>
			<td>Permeable for water vapor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chondro-Gide&Ograve;</td>
			<td>Geistlich Pharma AG</td>
			<td>30915.5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biopsy Punch</td>
			<td>pfm medical ag</td>
			<td>48351</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissucol Duo S</td>
			<td>Baxter</td>
			<td>3419627</td>
			<td>0.5 ml</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation for remodeling and repair of chondral defects in a rabbit model

Articular cartilage defects are considered a major health problem because articular cartilage has a limited capacity for self-regeneration 1. Untreated cartilage lesions lead to ongoing pain, negatively affect the quality of life and predispose for osteoarthritis. During the last decades, several surgical techniques have been developed to treat such lesions. However, until now it was not possible to achieve a full repair in terms of covering the defect with hyaline articular cartilage or of providing satisfactory long-term recovery 2-4. Therefore, articular cartilage injuries remain a prime target for regenerative techniques such as Tissue Engineering. In contrast to other surgical techniques, which often lead to the formation of fibrous or fibrocartilaginous tissue, Tissue Engineering aims at fully restoring the complex structure and properties of the original articular cartilage by using the chondrogenic potential of transplanted cells. Recent developments opened up promising possibilities for regenerative cartilage therapies.
The first cell based approach for the treatment of full-thickness cartilage or osteochondral lesions was performed in 1994 by Lars Peterson and Mats Brittberg who pioneered clinical autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) 5. Today, the technique is clinically well-established for the treatment of large hyaline cartilage defects of the knee, maintaining good clinical results even 10 to 20 years after implantation 6. In recent years, the implantation of autologous chondrocytes underwent a rapid progression. The use of an artificial three-dimensional collagen-matrix on which cells are subsequently replanted became more and more popular 7-9.
MACT comprises of two surgical procedures: First, in order to collect chondrocytes, a cartilage biopsy needs to be performed from a non weight-bearing cartilage area of the knee joint. Then, chondrocytes are being extracted, purified and expanded to a sufficient cell number in vitro. Chondrocytes are then seeded onto a three-dimensional matrix and can subsequently be re-implanted. When preparing a tissue-engineered implant, proliferation rate and differentiation capacity are crucial for a successful tissue regeneration 10. The use of a three-dimensional matrix as a cell carrier is thought to support these cellular characteristics 11.
The following protocol will summarize and demonstrate a technique for the isolation of chondrocytes from cartilage biopsies, their proliferation in vitro and their seeding onto a 3D-matrix (Chondro-Gide, Geistlich Biomaterials, Wollhusen, Switzerland). Finally, the implantation of the cell-matrix-constructs into artificially created chondral defects of a rabbit's knee joint will be described. This technique can be used as an experimental setting for further experiments of cartilage repair.

The described surgical technique permits a successful isolation and implantation of autologous chondrocytes into an artificial chondral defect. The experimental setup resulted in a successful integration of the implant into the surrounding cartilage.
After 12 weeks in vivo, the chondral defect was filled by repair tissue with a homogenous and intact surface, which reduced shear stress and damage to the implant (Figure 4). Moreover, no hypertrophy or calcification of t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Matrix-assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation for Remodeling and Repair of Chondral Defects in a Rabbit Model at JoVE.com

Matrix-assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation for Remodeling and Repair of Chondral Defects in a Rabbit Model

An experimental technique for the treatment of chondral defects in the rabbit's knee joint is described. The implantation of autologous chondrocytes seeded on a matrix is a well-accepted method for the remodeling and repair of articular cartilage lesions providing satisfying long-term results. Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) offers a standardized and clinically established implantation method.

Articular cartilage defects are considered a major health problem because articular cartilage has a limited capacity for self-regeneration 1. Untreated ...

matrix-assisted-autologous-chondrocyte-transplantation-for-remodeling

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

14.3K visualizações.  Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München. Uma técnica experimental para o tratamento de lesões condrais no joelho do coelho é descrito. O implante de condrócitos autólogos semeadas numa matriz é um método bem aceite para a remodelação e reparação de lesões da cartilagem articular que fornecem resultados satisfatórios a longo prazo. Matrix-assistida transplante de condrócitos autólogos (MACT) oferece um método padronizado e implante clinicamente estabelecida.