Cartilage formation by cultured chondrocytes in a new scaffold made of poly(L-lactide-ε-caprolactone) sponge

Purpose: This study investigated the ability of chondrocytes grown in culture and inoculated into a newly developed biodegradable sponge to form ectopic cartilage tissue. Materials and Methods: Chondrocytes obtained from costochondral cartilage dissected from Lewis rats were cultured to allow proliferation and then were inoculated into a sponge consisting of a biodegradable polymer, poly (L-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone). The composites of chondrocytes and sponge were transplanted subcutaneously into Nude mice and removed after 4 weeks for histologic and Northern blot analysis. Results: Staining with hematoxylin and eosin showed the formation of a cartilage-like structure in the sponge. Northern blot analysis of the total RNA in the composites showed the presence of aggrecan transcripts of about 9 kb. Conclusion: The poly (L-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) sponge system, is suitable as a matrix for tissue-engineered cartilage. (C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.