Biomaterials - Bioceramics - Bone graft
SMART BIOMATERIALS
08/13/02 - 2007 Thesis Prize by Nantes Métropole
A significant part of the population is affected by degenerative articular cartilage lesions which is a major public health issue. Joint cartilage consists of non-vascularised tissue with a limited capacity for spontaneous repair. The amplification and transfer of autologous chondrocytes by biomaterial seems promising in the promotion of tissue repair. For this reason, we developed a silanized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based (Si-HPMC) auto-cross-linking hydrogel.
During a preliminary study, our Si-HPMC hydrogel was shown to enable chondrocyte proliferation, sulphated GAG production, and the expression of the main chondrocyte markers (type-II collagen and aggrecan). We subsequently demonstrated that when associated with human nasal chondrocytes, this hydrogel was able to form subcutaneous cartilage tissue in nude mice.
Finally, autologous nasal chondrocytes associated with Si-HPMC was transplanted into articular cartilaginous defects in rabbits and this resulted in the formation of a hyaline-type cartilage repair tissue. Therefore, nasal cartilage and Si-HPMC hydrogel seem to be respectively a source of cells and a prime matrix for the engineering of cartilage tissue.
Among current cartilage tissue engineering strategies, the validation of new sources of autologous cells, and in particular adult mesenchymal stem cells, is the subject of intense research. This research could provide new therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine.
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