Tissue-engineered cartilage on biodegradable macroporous scaffolds: Cell shape and phenotypic expression

Objective. The purpose of the study was to establish in vitro culture of chondrocytes on biodegradable, poly(D,L,lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA] scaffolds. Study Design: Laboratory experiment using cartilage of rat rib and biodegradable scaffolds. Methods. Chondrocytes were cultured on a poly-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (poly-HEMA)-coated dish, proliferated, and transferred into the PLGA scaffolds. Phenotypic expression of cells was examined according to the condition of poly-HEMA coating. Morphological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical characteristics of cells cultured within PLGA scaffolds were also examined. Results: Chondrocytes cultured on a poly-HEMA-coated dish aggregated into distinct nodules containing large clusters of spherical cells and showed cartilage-specific phenotype, collagen type H. The results of immunostaining and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of cells cultured within PLGA scaffolds showed cartilage-specific morphological appearance and structural characteristics such as lacunae and expression of collagen type H. Conclusion: The chondrocytes cultured on a poly-HEMA-coated dish and PLGA scaffolds showed chondrocyte-specific phenotypes and morphological appearance.