Mesenchymal cell-based repair of large full thickness defects of articular cartilage

Abstract

Wakitani et al. looked at mesenchymal cell based repair of large articular cartilage defects. Rabbits were used in this study and defects in the knee were induced. Cells that were grown in vitro were transplanted in collagen gels into a defect of 3-6 mm in size. Control defects were fi lled with cell free collagen gels or left empty. As early as 2 weeks after the transplantation, the implanted cells had uniformly differentiated into chondrocytes and this was seen throughout the defect. There was bone formation in a proximal to distal direction within the defect and at 24 weeks post-transplant the subchondral bone was seen to be fully repaired without loss to the cartilage that overlays this bone. The cell treated defects healed in a manner that was much closer in nature to normal articular cartilage and was more rigid and compliant when compared to the repair seen by the defects that were not treated.