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Background <p> Hyaline cartilage has insufficient regenerative capacity. One promising approach to repairing its defects is the use of biodegradable scaffolds combined with cell culture. However, it is not always advisable to use autologous cell cultures to obtain cell-engineered constructs, since, especially in elderly patients, the collection of cells is complicated and their standardization is difficult. </p> Methods <p> A potential approach in this case might be the use of an standardized human fibroblast culture (e.g. DF2) due to its low immunogenicity and propensity towards transdifferentiation. We conducted a study using a cell-engineered construct containing human dermal fibroblast cells in a poly-l-lactic acid scaffold for the repair of a rabbit knee joint cartilage defect. A standardized knee joint defect was created in mature rabbits with implantation of a cellular engineering structure. On days 14, 30, and 90, the regenerated area was examined using photos, SEM, and histological methods.</p> Results <p> In 90 days after implantation, we observed almost complete biodegradation of the implanted construct with simultaneous replacement of the defect by a newly-formed regenerate. While an increase in the synthesis of type II collagen in the regenerate was observed there was no complete regeneration. In the experimental group with CEC implantation, compared to the control group, statistically improved scores were achieved for the following numerical parameters: defect diameter, defect area fill, defect depth, and assessments using the ICRS and O’Driscoll scales. Also, the defect size increased significantly in the control group, while this did not occur in the experimental group.</p> Conclusion <p> Since this was only a preliminary study, it would be necessary to optimize this approach to improve chondrogenic differentiation of dermal fibroblasts. </p> Lay Summary <p> Hyaline cartilage has insufficient regenerative capacity. One promising approach to repairing its defects is the use of biodegradable scaffolds combined with cell culture. We used a cell-engineered construct containing human fibroblast cells in a poly-l-lactic acid scaffold for the repair of a rabbit knee joint cartilage defect. In 90 days after implantation, we observed replacement of the defect by a newly-formed regenerate. Microscopic analysis revealed better outcomes after implantation of the cell-engineered construct for all measured parameters. The idea of using an allogeneic, standardized and pre-modified culture of dermal fibroblasts to replace the hyaline cartilage defect may be promising for clinical use. It may allow obtaining an "ideal" non-immunogenic cell culture that is safe and ready for use.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Repair of Hyaline Cartilage Defect in a Rabbit Knee with Human Dermal Fibroblasts in a Poly-l-lactic Porous Scaffold

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月16日

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  • Mikhail Bozhokin,
  • Yulia Korneva,
  • Dmitry Labutin,
  • Alexander Antipov,
  • Yuliya Nashchekina,
  • Maria Velizhanina,
  • Elena Leonova,
  • Julia Sopova,
  • Mikhail Khotin,
  • Svetlana Bozhkova

摘要

Background

Hyaline cartilage has insufficient regenerative capacity. One promising approach to repairing its defects is the use of biodegradable scaffolds combined with cell culture. However, it is not always advisable to use autologous cell cultures to obtain cell-engineered constructs, since, especially in elderly patients, the collection of cells is complicated and their standardization is difficult.

Methods

A potential approach in this case might be the use of an standardized human fibroblast culture (e.g. DF2) due to its low immunogenicity and propensity towards transdifferentiation. We conducted a study using a cell-engineered construct containing human dermal fibroblast cells in a poly-l-lactic acid scaffold for the repair of a rabbit knee joint cartilage defect. A standardized knee joint defect was created in mature rabbits with implantation of a cellular engineering structure. On days 14, 30, and 90, the regenerated area was examined using photos, SEM, and histological methods.

Results

In 90 days after implantation, we observed almost complete biodegradation of the implanted construct with simultaneous replacement of the defect by a newly-formed regenerate. While an increase in the synthesis of type II collagen in the regenerate was observed there was no complete regeneration. In the experimental group with CEC implantation, compared to the control group, statistically improved scores were achieved for the following numerical parameters: defect diameter, defect area fill, defect depth, and assessments using the ICRS and O’Driscoll scales. Also, the defect size increased significantly in the control group, while this did not occur in the experimental group.

Conclusion

Since this was only a preliminary study, it would be necessary to optimize this approach to improve chondrogenic differentiation of dermal fibroblasts.

Lay Summary

Hyaline cartilage has insufficient regenerative capacity. One promising approach to repairing its defects is the use of biodegradable scaffolds combined with cell culture. We used a cell-engineered construct containing human fibroblast cells in a poly-l-lactic acid scaffold for the repair of a rabbit knee joint cartilage defect. In 90 days after implantation, we observed replacement of the defect by a newly-formed regenerate. Microscopic analysis revealed better outcomes after implantation of the cell-engineered construct for all measured parameters. The idea of using an allogeneic, standardized and pre-modified culture of dermal fibroblasts to replace the hyaline cartilage defect may be promising for clinical use. It may allow obtaining an "ideal" non-immunogenic cell culture that is safe and ready for use.

Graphical Abstract