Chondrocyte Migration from Bioengineered Cartilage

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment enhances the integration of bioengineered cartilage to host cartilage, which involves cell migration into host cartilage. This study hypothesizes that PRP treatment of bioengineered cartilage supports chondrocyte migration and matrix accumulation by these cells in an in vitro 3D co-culture model. Osteochondral-like constructs were developed by culturing primary bovine or passaged human chondrocytes on a bone substitute which were then soaked in PRP and placed in co-culture with native osteochondral plugs. Controls were not pretreated with PRP. Cells from bovine and human bioengineered cartilage migrated onto fibre networks formed by PRP. However, only the bovine cells had the ability to form hyaline cartilage-like tissue, but this required cell migration from the bone. Cells did not migrate out from the human osteochondral plugs. This thesis demonstrates that cartilage implant integration is likely a complex process. This model system can be used to facilitate future investigations.M.Sc