The response of primary articular chondrocytes to micrometric surface topography and sulphated hyaluronic acid-based matrices.

Understanding the response of chondrocytes to topographical cues and chemical patterns could provide invaluable information to advance the repair of chondral lesions. We studied the response of primary chondrocytes to nano- and micro-grooved surfaces, and sulphated hyaluronic acid (HyalS). Cells were grown on grooves ranging from 80 nm to 9 microm in depth, and from 2 microm to 20 microm in width. Observations showed that the cells did not spread appreciably on any groove size, or alter morphology or F-actin organization, although cells showed accelerated movement on 750 nm deep grooves in comparison to flat surfaces. On chemical patterns, the cells migrated onto, and preferentially attached to, HyalS and showed a greater degree of spreading and F-actin re-arrangement. This study shows that 750 nm deep grooves and sulphated hyaluronic acid elicit responses from primary chondrocytes, and this could have implications for the future direction of cartilage reconstruction and orthopaedic treatments in general.