Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffold can separate the immune-derived cells from the outside environment, and reduce or prevent immune response.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of repairing osteochondral defects of rabbit knees with allogeneic chondrocyte transplantation with use of PLGA scaffold. 
METHODS: Chondrocytes isolated from cartilage of rabbits were grown in vitro until the passage III, and then were seeded on the PLGA scaffold. A full-thickness articular cartilage defect was created on the patellar groove of 36 New Zealand white rabbits. They were equally allotted to blank group, blank PLGA scaffold group, and chondrocyte-PLGA scaffold group. The defect site was examined at 12 weeks post-surgery on the basis of macroscopic appearance, hematoxylin-eosin staining, scores of Wakitani, and immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Monolayer culture of rabbit chondrocytes in vitro were polygonal, cell clones were cobblestone-like. Immunocytochemical detection showed the positive expression of type Ⅱ collagen. Cells implanted to PLGA scaffold were observed a good combination. Wakitani histological scores in three groups were (13.17±0.94), (12.31±1.89), (5.96±3.47) points respectively, with significant differences between the groups (P < 0.05). Chondrocyte transplantation using PLGA scaffold is better than the other groups for repairing osteochondral defects. Allogeneic chondrocyte-PLGA scaffold graft can successfully repair the articular cartilage defects.