In Vitro Synthesis and Characterization of a Cartilaginous Meniscus Grown from Isolated Temporomandibular Chondroprogenitor Cells

Abstract

Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint can lead to perforation of the intra-articular meniscus and osteoarthritic degeneration. Current methods of repairing damaged menisci are limited by lack of biological compatibility of graft materials. This project aimed to synthesise and characterise a primate cartilaginous meniscus in vitro from harvested mandibular chondroprogenitor cells. Isolated cells from the mandibular cartilage of 12 young adult marmosets, aged 9-12 months, were grown in monolayer culture. After 21 days confluent colonies were resuspended and dispersed into a unpolymerised solution of type I collagen and fibrinogen. The resultant cell suspension was infiltrated into a resorbable type I collagen sponge carrier and allowed to polymerise. Aliquots of the cell-infiltrated sponge were maintained in organ culture for a further 14 days. Cultures were characterised using histochemical and immunocytochemical localisation of collagen and proteoglycan species. Two-thirds of cells in confluent 21-day monolayers expressed cartilage-specific type II collagen and chondroitin-4-sulphate. After 35 days organ cultures had formed a viable, organised, three-dimensional tissue mass consisting of mature chondrocytic cells interspersed in a dense cartilaginous matrix. The cartilaginous tissue generated in vitro may have potential application in the repair or replacement of damaged menisci in vivo.