Dynamic Culture of Primary Chondrocytes on Porous β-TCP and HA Scaffolds in Spinner Flasks: Effects of Pore Size and Cell Seeding Density

Damaged or diseased articular cartilage can be repaired by the in-vitro cultivation of isolated chondrocytes on materials to be used as substrata for tissue regeneration. The ability of calcium phosphate-based materials to support the attachment of chondrocytes was evaluated, and their potential to support and maintain chondrogenesis under different cell seeding, pore size and ceramic degradation conditions was examined in-vitro. Porous scaffolds (10 mm diameter and 4 mm thickness) were made with beta-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite. It was shown that chondrocytes attach to, proliferate on, and form cartilaginous matrix within the porous scaffolds when cultured dynamically in spinner flasks. Histology at 12 days showed homogeneous cartilage-like tissue formation when cells are seeded at high density. Ca phosphate-based surfaces may be used as coatings on suitable elastomeric scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering applications. 4 refs.