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Roncada T, Blunn G, Roldo M. Collagen and Alginate Hydrogels Support Chondrocytes Redifferentiation In Vitro without Supplementation of Exogenous Growth Factors. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:21388-21400. [PMID: 38764657 PMCID: PMC11097186 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Focal cartilage defects are a prevalent knee problem affecting people of all ages. Articular cartilage (AC) possesses limited healing potential, and osteochondral defects can lead to pain and long-term complications such as osteoarthritis. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been a successful surgical approach for repairing osteochondral defects over the past two decades. However, a major drawback of ACI is the dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during their in vitro expansion. In this study, we isolated ovine chondrocytes and cultured them in a two-dimensional environment for ACI procedures. We hypothesized that 3D scaffolds would support the cells' redifferentiation without the need for growth factors so we encapsulated them into soft collagen and alginate (col/alg) hydrogels. Chondrocytes embedded into the hydrogels were viable and proliferated. After 7 days, they regained their original rounded morphology (aspect ratio 1.08) and started to aggregate. Gene expression studies showed an upregulation of COL2A1, FOXO3A, FOXO1, ACAN, and COL6A1 (37, 1.13, 22, 1123, and 1.08-fold change expression, respectively) as early as day one. At 21 days, chondrocytes had extensively colonized the hydrogel, forming large cell clusters. They started to replace the degrading scaffold by depositing collagen II and aggrecan, but with limited collagen type I deposition. This approach allows us to overcome the limitations of current approaches such as the dedifferentiation occurring in 2D in vitro expansion and the necrotic formation in spheroids. Further studies are warranted to assess long-term ECM deposition and integration with native cartilage. Though limitations exist, this study suggests a promising avenue for cartilage repair with col/alg hydrogel scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tosca Roncada
- School
of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University
of Portsmouth, St Michael’s
Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, U.K.
| | - Gordon Blunn
- School
of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University
of Portsmouth, St Michael’s
Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, U.K.
| | - Marta Roldo
- School
of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University
of Portsmouth, St Michael’s
Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, U.K.
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Guillén-García P, Guillén-Vicente I, Rodríguez-Iñigo E, Guillén-Vicente M, Fernández-Jaén TF, Navarro R, Aboli L, Torres R, Abelow S, López-Alcorocho JM. Cartilage Defect Treatment Using High-Density Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (HD-ACI). Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1083. [PMID: 37760185 PMCID: PMC10525711 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaline cartilage's inability to self-repair can lead to osteoarthritis and joint replacement. Various treatments, including cell therapy, have been developed for cartilage damage. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is considered the best option for focal chondral lesions. In this article, we aimed to create a narrative review that highlights the evolution and enhancement of our chondrocyte implantation technique: High-Density-ACI (HD-ACI) Membrane-assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) improved ACI using a collagen membrane as a carrier. However, low cell density in MACI resulted in softer regenerated tissue. HD-ACI was developed to improve MACI, implanting 5 million chondrocytes per cm2, providing higher cell density. In animal models, HD-ACI formed hyaline-like cartilage, while other treatments led to fibrocartilage. HD-ACI was further evaluated in patients with knee or ankle defects and expanded to treat hip lesions and bilateral defects. HD-ACI offers a potential solution for cartilage defects, improving outcomes in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. HD-ACI, with its higher cell density, shows promise for treating chondral defects and advancing cartilage repair in regenerative medicine and cell therapy.
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Vonk LA, Roël G, Hernigou J, Kaps C, Hernigou P. Role of Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation with Spheroids in the Treatment of Large Chondral Defects in the Knee: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7149. [PMID: 34281202 PMCID: PMC8267622 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a cell therapy for the treatment of focal cartilage defects. The ACI product that is currently approved for use in the European Union (EU) consists of spheroids of autologous matrix-associated chondrocytes. These spheroids are spherical aggregates of ex vivo expanded human autologous chondrocytes and their self-synthesized extracellular matrix. The aim is to provide an overview of the preclinical and nonclinical studies that have been performed to ensure reproducible quality, safety, and efficacy of the cell therapy, and to evaluate the clinical data on ACI with spheroids. A systematic review was performed to include all English publications on self-aggregated spheroids of chondrocytes cultured in autologous serum without other supplements. A total of 20 publications were included, 7 pre- and nonclinical and 13 clinical research publications. The pre- and nonclinical research publications describe the development from concept to in vivo efficacy and quality- and safety-related aspects such as biodistribution, tumorigenicity, genetic stability, and potency. The evaluation of clinical research shows short- to mid-term safety and efficacy for the ACI with spheroid-based treatment of cartilage defects in both randomized clinical trials with selected patients, as well as in routine treatment providing real-world data in more complex patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucienne Angela Vonk
- CO.DON AG, 14513 Teltow, Germany; (L.A.V.); (G.R.); (C.K.)
- Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Giulietta Roël
- CO.DON AG, 14513 Teltow, Germany; (L.A.V.); (G.R.); (C.K.)
| | - Jacques Hernigou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, EpiCURA Hospital, 7331 Baudour, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Bone and Metabolic Biochemistry, Faculty of Medecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christian Kaps
- CO.DON AG, 14513 Teltow, Germany; (L.A.V.); (G.R.); (C.K.)
| | - Philippe Hernigou
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, UPEC (University Paris-Est, Créteil), 94000 Créteil, France
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Al-Masawa ME, Wan Kamarul Zaman WS, Chua KH. Biosafety evaluation of culture-expanded human chondrocytes with growth factor cocktail: a preclinical study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21583. [PMID: 33299022 PMCID: PMC7725787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The scarcity of chondrocytes is a major challenge for cartilage tissue engineering. Monolayer expansion is necessary to amplify the limited number of chondrocytes needed for clinical application. Growth factors are often added to improve monolayer culture conditions, promoting proliferation, and enhancing chondrogenesis. Limited knowledge on the biosafety of the cell products manipulated with growth factors in culture has driven this study to evaluate the impact of growth factor cocktail supplements in chondrocyte culture medium on chondrocyte genetic stability and tumorigenicity. The growth factors were basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), transforming growth factor β2 (TGF β2), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS), and platelet-derived growth factor (PD-GF). Nasal septal chondrocytes cultured in growth factor cocktail exhibited a significantly high proliferative capacity. Comet assay revealed no significant DNA damage. Flow cytometry showed chondrocytes were mostly at G0-G1 phase, exhibiting normal cell cycle profile with no aneuploidy. We observed a decreased tumour suppressor genes’ expression (p53, p21, pRB) and no TP53 mutations or tumour formation after 6 months of implantation in nude mice. Our data suggest growth factor cocktail has a low risk of inducing genotoxic and tumorigenic effects on chondrocytes up to passage 6 with 16.6 population doublings. This preclinical tumorigenicity and genetic instability evaluation is crucial for further clinical works.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maimonah-Eissa Al-Masawa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | | | - Kien-Hui Chua
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Childs PG, Reid S, Salmeron-Sanchez M, Dalby MJ. Hurdles to uptake of mesenchymal stem cells and their progenitors in therapeutic products. Biochem J 2020; 477:3349-3366. [PMID: 32941644 PMCID: PMC7505558 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five years have passed since the first clinical trial utilising mesenchymal stomal/stem cells (MSCs) in 1995. In this time academic research has grown our understanding of MSC biochemistry and our ability to manipulate these cells in vitro using chemical, biomaterial, and mechanical methods. Research has been emboldened by the promise that MSCs can treat illness and repair damaged tissues through their capacity for immunomodulation and differentiation. Since 1995, 31 therapeutic products containing MSCs and/or progenitors have reached the market with the level of in vitro manipulation varying significantly. In this review, we summarise existing therapeutic products containing MSCs or mesenchymal progenitor cells and examine the challenges faced when developing new therapeutic products. Successful progression to clinical trial, and ultimately market, requires a thorough understanding of these hurdles at the earliest stages of in vitro pre-clinical development. It is beneficial to understand the health economic benefit for a new product and the reimbursement potential within various healthcare systems. Pre-clinical studies should be selected to demonstrate efficacy and safety for the specific clinical indication in humans, to avoid duplication of effort and minimise animal usage. Early consideration should also be given to manufacturing: how cell manipulation methods will integrate into highly controlled workflows and how they will be scaled up to produce clinically relevant quantities of cells. Finally, we summarise the main regulatory pathways for these clinical products, which can help shape early therapeutic design and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G. Childs
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Division of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, SUPA Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1QE, U.K
| | - Stuart Reid
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, SUPA Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1QE, U.K
| | - Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Division of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K
| | - Matthew J. Dalby
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Institute for Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K
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Eschen C, Kaps C, Widuchowski W, Fickert S, Zinser W, Niemeyer P, Roël G. Clinical outcome is significantly better with spheroid-based autologous chondrocyte implantation manufactured with more stringent cell culture criteria. OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE OPEN 2020; 2:100033. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2020.100033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Schubert AK, Smink JJ, Pumberger M, Putzier M, Sittinger M, Ringe J. Standardisation of basal medium for reproducible culture of human annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus cells. J Orthop Surg Res 2018; 13:209. [PMID: 30134986 PMCID: PMC6106880 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-018-0914-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The lifetime prevalence of degenerative disc disease is dramatically high. Numerous investigations on disc degeneration have been performed on cells from annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc (IVD) in cell culture experiments utilising a broad variety of basal culture media. Although the basal media differ in nutrient formulation, it is not known whether the choice of the basal media itself has an impact on the cell’s behaviour in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the most common media used for monolayer expansion of AF and NP cells to set standards for disc cell culture. Methods Human AF and NP cells were isolated from cervical discs. Cells were expanded in monolayer until passage P2 using six different common culture media containing alpha-Minimal Essential Medium (alpha-MEM), Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) or Ham’s F-12 medium (Ham’s F-12) as single medium or in a mixture of two media (alpha/F-12, DMEM/alpha, DMEM/F-12). Cell morphology, cell growth, glycosaminoglycan production and quantitative gene expression of cartilage- and IVD-related markers aggrecan, collagen type II, forkhead box F1 and keratin 18 were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with two-way ANOVA testing and Bonferroni compensation. Results AF and NP cells were expandable in all tested media. Both cell types showed similar cell morphology and characteristics of dedifferentiation known for cultured disc cells independently from the media. However, proceeding culture in Ham’s F-12 impeded cell growth of both AF and NP cells. Furthermore, the keratin 18 gene expression profile of NP cells was changed in alpha-MEM and Ham’s F-12. Conclusion The impact of the different media itself on disc cell’s behaviour in vitro was low. However, AF and NP cells were only robust, when DMEM was used as single medium or in a mixture (DMEM/alpha, DMEM/F-12). Therefore, we recommend using these media as standard medium for disc cell culture. Our findings are valuable for the harmonisation of preclinical study results and thereby push the development of cell therapies for clinical treatment of disc degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Kathrin Schubert
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Südstraße 2, 13353, Berlin, Germany. .,CO.DON AG, Teltow, Germany.
| | | | - Matthias Pumberger
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Putzier
- Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Sittinger
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Südstraße 2, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jochen Ringe
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, Südstraße 2, 13353, Berlin, Germany
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