Experimental Study On The Repair Of Articular Cartilage Defects Using Bone Marrow Stromal Cells By Tissue Engineering Method

Objective: To observe the repairing effect of articular defects using bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) by tissue engineering way. And simultaneously, to observe the influence of transforming growth factor-B (TGF-B) on BMSC proliferation. Method: After aspiration of the bone marrow on New Zealand rabbits, the stromal cells were isolated and purified, and then they were cultured and proliferated in vitro. TGF-B was added in the experimental group; the cell colonies and confluence time were well observed. More over, with the MTT way, BMSC抯 proliferation was known quantitively. The expanded BMSC (P2..3) were seeded into the biodegradable PGA (Poly-Glycolic Acid) scaffolds and then they were incubated in vitro. After 3-4 days, the complexes were implanted into their articular cartilage models and the rabbits were sacrificed on 4,8,12 weeks respectively after the operation. Specimens were examined macroscopically and histologically. Results: Treated with TGF- P, the increased BMSC cellular colonies and shortened confluence intervals were well observed, and the cells remain their bioactivity for more than 30 passages. Specimens harvested from BMSC-PGA complexes subjected to gross morphologic and histological analysis demonstrated new cartilage formations, and those from control groups showed no hyaline cartilage formation. Conclusion: Treated with TGF- P facilitates the proliferation of BMSC, and keeps their bioactivity for a longer time. It is prosperous to repair articular cartilage with the tissue engineering way.