[Fabrication of cartilage in predetermined shapes from human nasoseptal chondrocytes with tissue engineering method].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of fabricating a new cartilage in predetermined shapes with tissue engineering methods.

METHODS

Human nasoseptal chondrocytes were seeded onto a nonwoven mesh of polyglycolic acid(PGA) to form a cell-PGA construct. The construction was then configured in sheet and tube shapes, and implanted subcutaneously into the dorsa of 11 athymic mice. The specimens were harvested 4, 6, 8 weeks after implantation and subjected to gross morphologic and histologic analysis.

RESULTS

Gross observation showed that the predetermined sheet and tube shapes of new cartilage were formed. Histological observation demonstrated that new mature cartilages were formed in 6-week. A Masson's trichrome stain showed the interwining bands of collagen at the periphery of the cartilage. Staining of Safranin O evaluated that the new cartilage was bound of glycosaminoglycan. In the control group, the PGA of the specimens were completely absorbed at 6 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Human nasoseptal chondrocytes-PGA construct could develop into a new cartilage in predetermined shapes in athymic mice.