Optimal Amount of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Gelatin Sponges Incorporating β-Tricalcium Phosphate with Chondrocytes

Background: A gelatin sponge with slowly releasing basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) enhances chondrogenesis. This study investigated the optimal amount of b-FGF in gelatin sponges to fabricate engineered cartilage. Materials and Methods: b-FGF (0, 10, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 μg/cm 3 )-impregnated gelatin sponges incorporating β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were produced. Chondrocytes were isolated from the auricular cartilage of C57B6J mice and expanded. The expanded auricular chondrocytes (10×10 6 cells/cm 3 ) were seeded onto the gelatin sponges, which served as scaffolds. The construct assembly was implanted in the subcutaneous space of mice through a syngeneic fashion. Thereafter, constructs were retrieved at 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Results: (1) Morphology: The size of implanted constructs was larger than the size of the scaffold with 500, 1000, and 2000 μg/cm 3 b-FGF-impregnated gelatin sponges incorporating β-TCP at 4 and 6 weeks after implantation. (2) The weight of the constructs increased roughly proportional to the increase in volume of the b-FGF-impregnated scaffold at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after implantation, except in the 2000 μg/cm 3 b-FGF-impregnated constructs group. (3) Histological examination: Extracellular matrix in the center of the constructs was observed in gelatin sponges impregnated with more than 100 μg/cm 3 b-FGF at 4 weeks after implantation. The areas of cells with an abundant extracellular matrix were positive for cartilage-specific marker type 2 collagen in the constructs. (4) Protein assay: Glycosaminoglycan and collagen type 2 expression were significantly increased at 4 and 6 weeks on implantation of gelatin sponges impregnated with more than 100 μg/cm 3 b-FGF. At 6 weeks after implantation, the ratio of type 2 collagen to type 1 collagen in constructs impregnated with 100 μg/cm 3 or more b-FGF was higher than that in mice auricular cartilage. Conclusion: Gelatin sponges impregnated with more than 100 μg/cm 3 b-FGF incorporating β-TCP with chondrocytes (10×10 6 cells/cm 3 ) can fabricate engineered cartilage at 4 weeks after implantation.