Comparison of the properties of a native articular cartilage extracellular matrix-derived oriented scaffold and the chondro-gide bilayered scaffold-cartilage tissue engineering

Purpose: The objects of this study were to compare biological properties of a native articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM)-derived oriented scaffold and the Chondro-Gide bilayered scaffold. Methods: The ACECM oriented scaffold (No. 4131) and the Chondro-Gide scaffold (No. 4132) compared form (I) The physical properties (II) FDA/Pl staining, and frozen sections were stained with toluidine blue, safranin O, and alcian blue, as well as immunohistochemical staining for collagen types I and II. (III) Quantitative analyses (hydroxyproline content, determining the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA contents), and the expression of col I, col II, col X, aggrecan, and SOX-9 via RT-PCR. (IV) The two scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in rats. Results: The two scaffolds have different characteristics in diameters, porosity, water absorption expansion coefficient, biomechanical compression stiffness, elastic modulus, FDA/Pl staining, toluidine blue, safranin O, alcian blue, type II collagen, type I collagen. The MTT toxicity of the scaffolds was Grade I and Grade II respectively. The adhesion rates were different in two scaffolds. The content of hydroxyproline, GAG, DNA and gene expression (Col I, Col II, aggrecan, Sox-9, and Col X) was calculated in 4131 and 4132. After subcutaneous implantation in rats, the sections were pathologically graded as ‘qualified’. Conclusions: The two scaffolds have different characteristics.