Resurfacing potential of heterologous chondrocytes suspended in fibrin glue in large full-thickness defects of femoral articular cartilage: an experimental study in the goat.

A large full-thickness articular-cartilage defect was created in the medial femoral condyle of 32 adult goats. The defects were xenografted with isolated rabbit chondrocytes suspended in fibrin glue. Sham operated goats, where only a standardized defect was created, were used as controls. Results of cartilage repair were assessed after 3, 8, 13, 26 and 52 weeks. The repair tissue was evaluated macroscopically, histologically and biochemically. Results indicated that xenografted rabbit chondrocytes survived the transplantation and maintained their potential to produce matrix in fibrin glue, particularly if they were located in a non-weight-bearing area. In terms of an immunological reaction to xenografted chondrocytes, only mild signs of synovitis were observed in both groups and rejection of transplanted cells did not occur. From 3 weeks gradually progressive resolvement of the fibrin glue was observed with subsequent replacement by fibrous tissue. Initially xenografted defects histologically showed better tendency for cartilage regeneration, however, 52 weeks after surgery no significant differences could be detected in the repair tissue of both groups macroscopically, histologically and on biochemical scoring. The amount of collagen type II in the newly synthesized matrix was 75% 1 year after surgery. This study shows that isolated heterologous chondrocytes can be used for transplantation in articular cartilage defects, however, fibrin glue does not offer enough biomechanical support to the cells to maintain its function as a three-dimensional scaffold.