Effect of Mechanical Mincing on Minimally Manipulated Articular Cartilage for Surgical Transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care treatment options for medium to large symptomatic articular cartilage defects are limited. Minced cartilage implantation is an encouraging single-stage option, providing fresh viable autologous tissue with minimal morbidity and cost.

PURPOSE

To determine the histological properties of mechanically minced versus minimally manipulated articular cartilage.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Remnant articular cartilage was collected from fresh femoral condylar allografts. Cartilage samples were divided into 4 groups: cartilage explants with or without fibrin glue and mechanically minced cartilage with or without fibrin glue. Samples were cultured for 42 days. Chondrocyte viability was assessed using live/dead assay. Cellular migration and outgrowth were monitored using bright-field microscopy. Extracellular matrix deposition was assessed via histological staining. Proteoglycan content and synthesis were assessed using dimethylmethylene blue assay and radiolabeled 35S-sulfate, respectively. Type II collagen (COL2A1) gene expression was analyzed via polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The mean viability of minced cartilage particles (34% ± 14%) was not significantly reduced compared with baseline (46% ± 13%) on day 0 (

CONCLUSION

Mechanically minced articular cartilage remained viable after 42 days of culture in vitro and was comparable with cartilage explants with regard to cellular migration, outgrowth, and extracellular matrix synthesis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Mechanically minced articular cartilage is an encouraging intervention for the treatment of symptomatic cartilage defects. Further translational work is warranted to determine the viability of minced cartilage implantation as a single-stage therapeutic intervention in vivo.