Abstract 42

Paradigm of cartilage regeneration by matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI): a histological assessment.

Ming-Hao Zheng, Craig Willers, Lyn Kirilak

School of Surgery and Pathology (Orthopaedics)
University of Western Australia

Conventional treatment regimes for articular cartilage injury only manage biomechanically inferior tissue comprised mainly of fibrocartilage. The development of autologous chondrocyte implantation has seen improvements in patients outcomes over conventional therapy, but complications associated with periosteum has led to the search for alternative scaffolds for the seeding of autologous chondrocytes. We have conducted an objective assessment of matrixinduced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) patients by histological examination. Seven biopsies were analysed at 48 hours, 21 days, 6, 8, and 12 months postoperatively. Scanning electron microscopy and RT-PCR confirmed ACI-Maix type I/III collagen membrane efficiently integrates chondrocytes into its matrix and maintains the chondrolineage phenotype (aggrecan and collagen II expression). Results of sequential histology and collagen II staining at the five time points showed that MACI induces the regeneration of cartilage-like tissue as early as 21 days, with hyaline-like cartilage formed at 6 months. In summary, we have shown that MACI is a reliable paradigm for the regeneration of articular cartilage.

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