Growth factors in cartilage and meniscus repair.

Menisci and articular cartilage are easily injured but difficult to repair. Both tissues are structures of low cellular density. The cells are highly differentiated and specialised, with a limited capacity for proliferation. The main effects of growth factors on chondrocytes are stimulation of the extracellular cartilage matrix and inhibition and activation of proteases. Growth factors with anabolic effects promoting chondrogenesis and maintenance of the phenotype of the chondrocyte could be useful in the treatment of injured cartilage or meniscus. An important aspect of treatment with growth factors is their insertion into suitable scaffolds. Ongoing research is focusing on the repair of defects in articular cartilage with hyaline tissue instead of fibrocartilage, and the repair of meniscal lesions with a stronger fibrocartilage. This article examines the latest advances made in this field of regenerative medicine. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.