Summary of the problem: Conventional treatments for articular cartilage defects, like
prosthetic surgeries have considerable limitations, specially the frequent need for revision.
Tissue engineering has emerged as a potential solution for this problem, aiming at regenerating
the lost or damaged tissue. This promising therapeutic route, despite the scientific efforts to
repair articular cartilage loss, has not let to a complete regeneration of the functional tissue. The
present work aims at evaluating the potential of 50% chitosan, 50% PBS scaffolds for a
cartilage tissue engineering approach, using primary bovine articular chondrocytes.
Methods: Chondrocytes from bovine articular cartilage were isolated, according to standard
procedures. Cells were seeded at a density of 6.5x106 cells/scaffold on sterile scaffolds of
CPBS 50/50 using spinner flasks. After 72 hours, the hybrid constructs were changed into Petri
dishes and cultured under rotational agitation for up to 4 weeks. Constructs were characterized
by scanning electron microscopy, histological and immunological analysis and real time PCR.
Results and Discussion: Cells colonized the entire scaffold and were able to produce
extracelular matrix. Immunolocalisation of collagens type I and II confirmed the presence of
these proteins. Normalized Expression Ratio of collagen types I and II was higher in dynamic
conditions when compared with control conditions (static culture). Data obtained support the
conclusion that the newly developed CPBS scaffolds are very promising for cartilage tissue
engineering applications.
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