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>
	<li>Albrecht, C., 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=Gene+expression+and+cell+differentiation+in+matrix-associated+chondrocyte+transplantation+grafts:+a+comparative+study.">Gene expression and cell differentiation in matrix-associated chondrocyte transplantation grafts: a comparative study.</a> Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 19, 1219-1227 (2011).</li><li>Pridie, K. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+method+of+resurfacing+osteoarthritic+knee+joints.">A method of resurfacing osteoarthritic knee joints.</a> J. Bone Joint Surg. Br. 41, 618-619 (1959).</li><li>Johnson, L. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arthroscopic+abrasion+arthroplasty+historical+and+pathologic+perspective:+present+status.">Arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty historical and pathologic perspective: present status.</a> Arthroscopy. 2, 54-69 (1986).</li><li>Steadman, J. R., Rodkey, W. G., Singelton, S. B., Briggs, K. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microfracture+technique+for+full-thickness+chondral+defects:+technique+and+clinical+result.">Microfracture technique for full-thickness chondral defects: technique and clinical result.</a> Operat. Tech. Orthop. 7, 300-304 (1997).</li><li>Brittberg, 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=Treatment+of+deep+cartilage+defects+in+the+knee+with+autologous+chondrocyte+transplantation.">Treatment of deep cartilage defects in the knee with autologous chondrocyte transplantation.</a> N. Engl. J. Med. 331, 889-895 (1994).</li><li>Peterson, L., Vasiliadis, H. S., Brittberg, M., Lindahl, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autologous+chondrocyte+implantation:+a+long-term+follow-up.">Autologous chondrocyte implantation: a long-term follow-up.</a> Am. J. Sports Med. 38, 1117-1124 (2010).</li><li>Nehrer, S., 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=Chondrocyte-seeded+collagen+matrices+implanted+in+a+chondral+defect+in+a+canine+model.">Chondrocyte-seeded collagen matrices implanted in a chondral defect in a canine model.</a> Biomaterials. 19, 2313-2328 (1998).</li><li>Frenkel, S. R., Toolan, B., Menche, D., Pitman, M. I., Pachence, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chondrocyte+transplantation+using+a+collagen+bilayer+matrix+for+cartilage+repair.">Chondrocyte transplantation using a collagen bilayer matrix for cartilage repair.</a> J. Bone. Joint Surg. Br. 79, 831-836 (1997).</li><li>Salzmann, G. 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. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autologous+chondrocyte+implantation+with+collagen+bioscaffold+for+the+treatment+of+osteochondral+defects+in+rabbits.">Autologous chondrocyte implantation with collagen bioscaffold for the treatment of osteochondral defects in rabbits.</a> Tissue Eng. 11, 1065-1076 (2005).</li><li>Vogt, S., 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+influence+of+the+stable+expression+of+BMP2+in+fibrin+clots+on+the+remodelling+and+repair+of+osteochondral+defects.">The influence of the stable expression of BMP2 in fibrin clots on the remodelling and repair of osteochondral defects.</a> Biomaterials. 30, 2385-2392 (2009).</li><li>Ueblacker, 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=In+vivo+analysis+of+retroviral+gene+transfer+to+chondrocytes+within+collagen+scaffolds+for+the+treatment+of+osteochondral+defects.">In vivo analysis of retroviral gene transfer to chondrocytes within collagen scaffolds for the treatment of osteochondral defects.</a> Biomaterials. 28, 4480-4487 (2007).</li><li>Marlovits, S., Zeller, P., Singer, P., Resinger, C., Vecsei, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cartilage+repair:+generations+of+autologous+chondrocyte+transplantation.">Cartilage repair: generations of autologous chondrocyte transplantation.</a> Eur. 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 Görüntüleme.  Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München. Tavşan diz ekleminde kıkırdak defektlerinin tedavisi için bir deney tekniği tarif edilmektedir. Bir matris üzerinde numaralı seribaşı otolog kondrosit implantasyonu tatmin edici uzun vadeli sonuçlar sağlayan eklem kıkırdağı lezyonların yeniden ve onarım için bir iyi kabul edilen bir yöntemdir. Matrix destekli otolog kondrosit transplantasyonu (MACT) bir standart ve klinik olarak kurulan implantasyon yöntem sunmaktadır.