Methodological models for in vitro amplification and maintenance of human articular chondrocytes from elderly patients

Articular cartilage defects, an exceedingly common problem closely correlated with advancing age, is characterized by lack of spontaneous resolution because of the limited regenerative capacity of adult articular chondrocytes. Medical and surgical therapies yield unsatisfactory short-lasting results...

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Published in:Biogerontology (Dordrecht) 2007-10, Vol.8 (5), p.483-498
Main Authors: CAROSSINO, Anna Maria, RECENTI, Raffaella, CIARDULLO, Antonio, GALLI, Gianna, TOGNARINI, Isabella, MOGGI PIGNONE, Alberto, CAGNONI, Mario, LUISA BRANDI, Maria, CAROSSINO, Roberto, PISCITELLI, Elisabetta, GOZZINI, Alessia, MARTINETI, Valentina, MAVILIA, Carmelo, FRANCHI, Alessandro, DANIELLI, Daniele, AGLIETTI, Paolo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Cartilage
Cartilage, Articular - cytology
Cartilage, Articular - physiology
Cell Membrane - physiology
Cell Membrane - ultrastructure
Cells, Cultured
Cellular Senescence - physiology
Chondrocytes - cytology
Chondrocytes - physiology
Clinical medicine
Collagen Type I - genetics
Collagen Type I - metabolism
Collagen Type II - genetics
Collagen Type II - metabolism
Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing
Drug Compounding
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Biological
Regeneration - physiology
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Tissue engineering
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:Articular cartilage defects, an exceedingly common problem closely correlated with advancing age, is characterized by lack of spontaneous resolution because of the limited regenerative capacity of adult articular chondrocytes. Medical and surgical therapies yield unsatisfactory short-lasting results. Recently, cultured autologous chondrocytes have been proposed as a source to promote repair of deep cartilage defects. Despite encouraging preliminary results, this approach is not yet routinely applicable in clinical practice, but for young patients. One critical points is the isolation and ex vivo expansion of large enough number of differentiated articular chondrocytes. In general, human articular chondrocytes grown in monolayer cultures tend to undergo dedifferentiation. This reversible process produces morphological changes by which cells acquire fibroblast-like features, loosing typical functional characteristics, such as the ability to synthesize type II collagen. The aim of this study was to isolate human articular chondrocytes from elderly patients and to carefully characterize their morphological, proliferative, and differentiative features. Cells were morphologically analyzed by optic and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Production of periodic acid-schiff (PAS)-positive cellular products and of type II collagen mRNA was monitored at different cellular passages. Typical chondrocytic characteristics were also studied in a suspension culture system with cells encapsulated in alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) membranes. Results showed that human articular chondrocytes can be expanded in monolayers for several passages, and then microencapsulated, retaining their morphological and functional characteristics. The results obtained could contribute to optimize expansion and redifferentiation sequences for applying cartilage tissue engineering in the elderly patients.
ISSN:1389-5729
1573-6768
DOI:10.1007/s10522-007-9088-4