The use of allogenic adipose-derived stem cells in combination with platelet-rich fibrin for the treatment of cartilage defects in rabbit ear.

The current study aims to assess the efficacy of allogenic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) together with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) for the treatment of rabbit ear cartilage defects. For this study, 12 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Two full-thickness cartilage defects were created in the rabbit ears. Group 1 was left untreated; Group 2 was treated with allogenic ADSCs, Group 3 was treated with PRF; Group 4 was treated with allogenic ADSCs and PRF. Macroscopic observation, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Alcian blue staining after 3 months suggested that the allogenic ADSCs/PRF significantly accelerated cartilage regeneration compared to other groups and this was associated with increased expression of collagen II relative to the other groups. Expression of genes associated with immune response such as cluster of differentiation 4 and 8 (CD4, CD8), and interleukin 2 and 4 (IL-2, IL-4) displayed no significant statistical difference compared to Group 1. In conclusion, these results suggest that allogenic ADSCs in combination with PRF can accelerate regeneration in full-thickness cartilage defects in the rabbit ear model without causing a significant immune response. The results suggest that allogenic ADSCs with PRF could successfully be used for cartilage regeneration.