Collagenase treatment of cartilaginous matrix promotes fusion of adjacent cartilage
Journal
Regenerative therapy
Journal Volume
15
Date Issued
2020-12
Author(s)
Jiang, Ching-Chuan
Hsieh, Chang-Hsun
Liao, Chun-Jen
Chang, Wen-Hsiang
Liao, Wei-Ju
Tsai-Wu, Jyy-Jih
Abstract
In articular cartilage-repair, grafts usually fuse unsatisfactorily with surrounding host cartilage. Enzymatic dissociation of cartilaginous matrix to free chondrocytes may benefit fusion. We tested such a hypothesis with human cartilage in vitro, and with porcine cartilage in vivo. Human articular cartilage was collected from knee surgeries, cut into disc-and-ring sets, and randomly distributed into three groups: disc-and-ring sets in Group 1 were left untreated; in Group 2 only discs, and in Group 3 both discs and rings were treated with enzyme. Each disc-and-ring reassembly was cultured in a perfusion system for 14 days; expression of cartilage marker proteins and genes was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Porcine articular cartilage from knees was similarly fashioned into disc-and-ring combinations. Specimens were randomly distributed into a control group without further treatment, and an experimental group with both disc and ring treated with enzyme. Each disc-and-ring reassembly was transplanted into subcutaneous space of a nude mouse for 30 days, and retrieved to examine disc-ring interface. In in vitro study with human cartilage, a visible gap remained at disc-ring interfaces in Group 1, yet became indiscernible in Group 2 and 3. Marker genes, including type II collagen, aggrecan and Sox 9, were well expressed by chondrocytes in all specimens, indicating that chondrocytes' phenotype retained regardless of enzymatic treatment. Similar results were found inin vivo study with porcine cartilage. Enzymatic dissociation of cartilaginous matrix promotes fusion of adjacent cartilage. The clinical relevance may be a novel method to facilitate integration of repaired cartilage in joints.
Subjects
Cartilage fusion; Cartilage repair; Cartilaginous matrix; DMMB, 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; Enzymatic treatment; GAG, glycosaminoglycan; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; H&E, hematoxylin and eosin; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RNA, ribonucleic acid; Sox 9, SRY-box transcription factor 9; cDNA, complementary deoxyribonucleic acid
SDGs
Other Subjects
2 propanol; aggrecan; collagen type 1; collagen type 10; collagen type 2; collagenase; eosin; ethidium bromide; glycosaminoglycan; hank balanced salt solution; hematoxylin; tiletamine plus zolazepam; transcription factor Sox9; trizol reagent; unclassified drug; xylazine; xylene; adult; animal cell; animal experiment; animal tissue; Article; bioassay; cartilage matrix; cell culture; cell differentiation; cell proliferation; chondrocyte; controlled study; dimethyl methylene blue assay; extracellular matrix; fetal calf serum; gene expression; histology; histopathology; human; macrophage; microscopy; nonhuman; polymerase chain reaction; protein expression; real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; regenerative medicine; RNA extraction
Type
journal article