Combined chondrocyte-copolymer implantation with slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor for tissue engineering an auricular cartilage construct

Basic fibroblast growth factor (b‐FGF) may have a role in tissue‐engineered chondrogenesis. However, when applied in solution, b‐FGF rapidly diffuses from the implant site. In another approach for tissue engineering, poly‐lactide‐based copolymers have shown promise as scaffolds for chondrocytes used to tissue engineer auricular cartilage in the shape of an ear. This study evaluated the effectiveness of b‐FGF impregnated in gelatin microspheres to achieve slow growth factor release for augmenting the in vivo chondrogenic response. Whereas 125I‐labeled b‐FGF injected in solution showed rapid in vivo clearance from the injection site (only 3% residual after 24 h), when incorporated into gelatin microspheres, 44% and 18% of the b‐FGF remained at 3 and 14 days, respectively. Canine chondrocytes were isolated and grown in vitro onto ear‐shaped poly‐lactide/caprolactone copolymers for 1 week, then implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of nude mice; implants contained b‐FGF either in free solution or in gelatin microspheres. A third group underwent preinjection of b‐FGF in gelatin microspheres 4 days before chondrocyte–copolymer implantation. The implants with b‐FGF‐incorporated microspheres showed the greatest chondrogenic characteristics at 5 and 10 weeks postoperatively: good shape and biomechanical trait retention, strong (histologic) metachromasia, rich vascularization of surrounding tissues, and increased gene expression for type II collagen (cartilage marker) and factor VIII‐related antigen (vascular marker). In the case of implant site preadministration with b‐FGF‐impregnated microspheres, the implant architecture was not maintained as well, and reduced vascularization and metachromasia was also apparent. In conclusion, these findings indicate that a sustained release of b‐FGF augments neovascularization and chondrogenesis in a tissue‐engineered cartilage construct. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005