gms | German Medical Science

Genetic Processes in Tissue engineering of Cartilage are still little understood. Additionally, supplementing the cell culture medium with xenogenous components is still common practice, thus making clinical application of chondrocytes troublesome. In this study, expression of cartilage specific genes was monitored in monolayer and pellet cultures of human chondrocytes in respect to different medium supplements including FCS, activated platelets and human plasma.

After 1, 7, and 14 days in culture, expression of cartilage specific genes was analysed employing Q-PCR. Synthesis of extracellular matrix was histologically detected with Safranin-O- and Alcianblue-Stains.

Replacing FCS with activated human platelets results in comparable morphologic appearance and deposition of extracellular matrix in vitro. Nevertheless, the pattern of gene expression seems to be influenced by addition of different medium supplements.

For future clinical application an autologous cell culture system is a prerequisite. Activated human platelets seem to be a useful alternative for FCS, replacing a potentially harmful medium supplement.

Through the alteration of medium supplements in cell culture moleculargenetic processes are influenced. Detecting further factors to reliably control the expression of cartilage specific genes could contribute to produce high quality cartilage replacement from autolgous chondrocytes