In vitro study of chondrocytes migration from minced cartilage explants in a mixed scaffold

Aim. The aim of this study was to demonstrate in vitro the chondrocyte ability of cartilage fragments to migrate into an original-made scaffold: this feature is the experimental basis for the development of a new "one-stage" procedure for cartilage repair. Methods. The study design included: preparation of 30 scaffolds made of hyaluronic acid (Synvisc or Hyaff-11), fibrin glue and platelet-rich plasma; culture, within the scaffolds, of human cartilage fragments harvested during interventions of total hip or knee replacement or anterior ligament reconstruction; histological analysis of the specimens at one and two months. Results. In the cartilage fragments the chondrocytes maintained their viability at one and two months; at one month (in about 79% of the cultures) and afterwards at two months (in 100% of cultures) a migration of "fibroblast-like" cells deriving from the cartilage fragments embedded into the structure was observed in the scaffold. The number of cells observed in the Hyaff-11 scaffolds is significandy higher than that observed in the Synvisc scaffolds. Conclusion. The scaffold revealed a proper environment for the chondrocyte survival and growth in vitro; moreover, the chondrocytes showed an ability to migrate, from the original cartilage fragment into the three-dimensional structure of the scaffold, even more clearly in the Hyaff-11 scaffolds. This behaviour represents an important basis for using the cartilage fragments as a source of cells and prochondrogenic signals (proteins, chondral matrix) for the repair of cartilage lesions (both traumatic and degenerative) with a "one-stage" procedure.