Methods and compositions for repair of cartilage using an in vivo bioreactor

摘要

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

主权项

1. A method of differentiating human dermal fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells, comprising the steps of:
providing human dermal fibroblasts and; exposing said fibroblasts to low oxygen tension and one or both of intermittent hydrostatic pressure and fluid shear stress, wherein the adult dermal fibroblasts differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells.