Chondrogenic properties of primary human chondrocytes culture in hyaluronic acid treated gelatin scaffold.

OBJECTIVE

To study the possibility of primary human chondrocytes culture in gelatin scaffold and the effects of exogenous HA on chondrocyte differentiation and synthesis of the hyaline-like extracellular matrix.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Cartilage tissue was engineered by using primary human chondrocytes with HA-treated gelatin scaffolds and gelatin scaffolds. The chondrogenic properties were monitored for chondrocyte proliferation, adhesion, and hyaline-like extracellular matrix production in both groups. The results were compared to each other.

RESULTS

Chondrocyte proliferation, adhesive activity, and new HA production were significantly increased in HA-treated gelatin scaffold (p < 0.05). Immuno histochemistry for WF6 epitope demonstrated the higher quality of hyaline-like extracellular matrix production. Moreover, the scanning electron micrograph showed a higher filling of extracellular matrix in the pore of scaffold of HA-treated gelatin scaffold than that in non-HA treated scaffold.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated the possible role of commercial gelatin-based scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering. It also demonstrated that exogenous HA-treated scaffold provides positive effects for chondrocytes.