Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2465672 | The Veterinary Journal | 2008 | 7 Pages |
Chondrocytes were collected from the stifle joints of four pigs to study the effect of cryopreservation on the chondrogenic potential of chondrocytes. Half of the cells were cryopreserved for 3 months. Polyglycolic acid scaffolds were cultured with fresh or cryopreserved chondrocytes for 4 weeks. Cell morphology and the quality of engineered tissue were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, histopathology and biochemical methods. More cells attached to scaffolds at 48 h when fresh chondrocytes were seeded. At 4 weeks, the numbers of cells, DNA and collagen II were greater in constructs engineered by fresh cells. However, the collagen II/DNA ratio did not differ between the two groups. More matrix was identified on a scanning electron microscope and by histopathology in the fresh group. Cartilage engineered with cryopreserved chondrocytes may contain less matrix and fewer cells. These findings most likely resulted from a lack of cell attachment on the matrix secondary to cryopreservation. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the mechanism by which cryopreservation may affect chondrocyte attachment.