Membrane scaffolds for matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee: a systematic review

Human Chondrocytes, Metabolism of Articular Cartilage, and Strategies for Application to Tissue Engineering

Hyaline cartilage, which is characterized by the absence of vascularization and innervation, has minimal self-repair potential in case of damage and defect formation in the chondral layer. Chondrocytes are specialized cells that ensure the synthesis of extracellular matrix components, namely type II collagen and aggregen. On their surface, they express integrins CD44, α1β1, α3β1, α5β1, α10β1, αVβ1, αVβ3, and αVβ5, which are also collagen-binding components of the extracellular matrix. This article aims to contribute to solving the problem of the possible repair of chondral defects through unique methods of tissue engineering, as well as the process of pathological events in articular cartilage. In vitro cell culture models used for hyaline cartilage repair could bring about advanced possibilities. Currently, there are several variants of the combination of natural and synthetic polymers and chondrocytes. In a three-dimensional environment, chondrocytes retain their production capacity. In the case of mesenchymal stromal cells, their favorable ability is to differentiate into a chondrogenic lineage in a three-dimensional culture.

Patellar Cartilage Bossing Causing Patellofemoral Pain After Cartilage Repair With Hyalofast® Scaffold and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)

Chondral lesions of the knee are common orthopedic issues encountered in daily practice. Hyalofast® (Anika Therapeutics, Bedford, Massachusetts) grafting with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) has been shown, in numerous studies, to be clinically efficacious in the surgical treatment of these lesions. We describe a case of chondral lesions in the knee initially successfully treated with arthroscopic chondroplasty and Hyalofast® grafting with BMAC, but who subsequently developed patellar cartilage bossing, causing anterior patellofemoral joint pain eight months after surgery. A 48-year-old gentleman underwent arthroscopic chondroplasty and mini-open cartilage repair with Hyalofast® and BMAC after presenting with right knee pain and swelling affecting his ability to participate in sports. His initial recovery was unremarkable, but he subsequently developed anterior knee pain exacerbated by stair climbing and jogging eight months after the initial surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bossing of the Hyalofast® graft over the central patella, and intraoperative testing confirmed the impingement. The patient's symptoms resolved immediately following arthroscopic debridement. While Hyalofast® grafting and BMAC remain viable options in the treatment of chondral lesions in the knee, the inability to predict the amount of cartilage repair and recovery may result in pain and impingement symptoms, and surgeons should be aware of such possible complications.

MACI "Sandwich" Technique for a Large Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesion: A Case Report

There is widespread use of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation. Initial use of autologous bone grafting in combination with the matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure has shown efficacy in small- to medium-sized osteochondral lesions. This case report demonstrates use of the "Sandwich" technique in a large, deep osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the medial femoral condyle. Technical considerations that are key to containment of the lesion and outcomes are reported.

Graphene Hydrogel as a Porous Scaffold for Cartilage Regeneration

Porous scaffolds have widely been exploited in cartilage tissue regeneration. However, it is often difficult to understand how the delicate hierarchical structure of the scaffold material affects the regeneration process. Graphene materials are versatile building blocks for robust and biocompatible porous structures, enabling investigation of structural cues on tissue regeneration otherwise challenging to ascertain. Here, we utilize a graphene hydrogel with stable and tunable structure as a model scaffold to examine the effect of porous structure on matrix remodeling associated with ingrowth of chondrocytes on scaffolds. We observe much-accelerated yet balanced cartilage remodeling correlating the ingrowth of chondrocytes into the graphene scaffold with an open pore structure on the surface. Importantly, such an enhanced remodeling selectively promotes the expression of collagen type II fibrils over proteoglycan aggrecan, hence clearly illustrating that chondrocytes maintain a stable phenotype when they migrate into the scaffold while offering new insights into scaffold design for cartilage repair.

Fibrin glue does not promote migration and proliferation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in collagenic membranes: an in vitro study

During Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC), the membrane is often glued into the chondral defect. However, whether fibrin glue influences cells proliferation and migration remain unclear. This study evaluated the impact of fibrin glue addition to biologic membranes loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (B-MSCs). A porcine derived collagen membrane (Cartimaix, Matricel GmbH, Germany) was used. B-MSCs were harvested from three different unrelated donors. The membranes were embedded in mounting medium with DAPI (ABCAM, Cambridge, UK) and analysed at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, and at 8-week follow-up. The DAPI ties the DNA of the cell nucleus, emitting blue fluorescence. DAPI/nuclei signals were analysed with fluorescence microscopy at 100-fold magnification. The group without fibrin glue demonstrated greater migration of the B-MSCs within the membrane at week 4 (P < 0.001), 6 (P < 0.001), and 8 (P < 0.001). No difference was found at week 1, 2, and 3. The group without fibrin glue demonstrated greater proliferation of B-MSCs within the membrane. These differences were significant at week 1 (P = 0.02), 2 (P = 0.008), 3 (P = 0.0009), 4 (P < 0.0001), 6 (P < 0.0001), 8 (P < 0.0001). Concluding, in the present setting, the use of fibrin in a collagenic biomembrane impairs B-MSCs proliferation and migration in vitro.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee is effective in skeletally immature patients: a systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for chondral defects of the knee in skeletally immature patients. Current available data from patients reported outcome measures (PROMs) and complications were collected, analyzed, and discussed.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The following databases were accessed in May 2022: PubMed, Google scholar, Embase, and Scopus. All the clinical studies investigating the efficacy of ACI to manage chondral defects of the knee in skeletally immature patients were accessed. Articles treating patients with surgical procedures other than ACI were not eligible, nor were studies with a follow-up shorter than 12 months.

RESULTS

Data from 9 studies (251 procedures) were collected. 32% (80 of 251) of patients were females. The mean length of follow-up was 44.2 ± 29.4 (range, 12-115) months. The mean age of the patients was 16.4 ± 0.7 (range, 15-17) years. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Document Committee (IKDC) increased of + 41.9/100 (P = 0.003) and + 33.2/100 (P =  < 0.0001) points, respectively. The Lysholm Knee Score improved of + 20.6/100 (P = 0.02) points. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain reduced of - 3.6/10 (P = 0.004) points. The Tegner scale did not show any statistically significant improvement from baseline to follow-up (P = n.s.). The rate of graft hypertrophy was 12.5% (5 of 40 patients), and the rate of failure 5.6% (8 of 142 patients).

CONCLUSION

ACI for chondral defects of the knee is effective to improve PROMs in skeletally immature patients. The safety profile of ACI still remains controversial.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Fibrin glue does not assist migration and proliferation of chondrocytes in collagenic membranes: an in vitro study

Background

Some authors secured the membrane during matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (mACI) with fibrin glue or did not use a formal fixation. The real impact of fibrin glue addition on chondrocytes migration and proliferation has not yet been clarified. This study evaluated the impact of fibrin glue on a chondrocyte loaded collagenic membrane.

Methods

A resorbable collagen I/III porcine derived membrane commonly employed in AMIC was used for all experiments. Chondrocytes from three difference donors were used. At 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, and at 8-week the membranes were embedded in Mounting Medium with Dapi (ABCAM, Cambridge, UK). The Dapi contained in the mounting medium ties the DNA of the cell nucleus and emits a blue fluorescence. In this way, the spreading of the cells in the membrane can be easily monitored. The outcomes of interest were to evaluate (1) cell migration and (2) cell proliferation within the porous membrane layer. DAPI/nuclei signals were analysed with fluorescence microscope under a magnification of 100-fold.

Results

The no-fibrin group demonstrated greater migration of the cells within the membrane. Although migration resulted higher in the no-fibrin group at every follow-up, this difference was significant only at week 1 (P < 0.001), 2 (P = 0.004), and 3 (P = 0.03). No difference was found at week 3, 6, and 8. The no-fibrin group demonstrated greater proliferation of the chondrocytes within the membrane. These differences were significant at week 4 (P < 0.0001), 6 (P < 0.0001), 8 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The use of fibrin glue over a resorbable membrane leads to lower in vitro proliferation and migration of chondrocytes.

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (mACI) versus autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for chondral defects of the knee: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Chondral defects of the knee are common and their treatment is challenging.

SOURCE OF DATA

PubMed, Google scholar, Embase and Scopus databases.

AREAS OF AGREEMENT

Both autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) and membrane-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (mACI) have been used to manage chondral defects of the knee.

AREAS OF CONTROVERSY

It is debated whether AMIC and mACI provide equivalent outcomes for the management of chondral defects in the knee at midterm follow-up. Despite the large number of clinical studies, the optimal treatment is still controversial.

GROWING POINTS

To investigate whether AMIC provide superior outcomes than mACI at midterm follow-up.

AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH

AMIC may provide better outcomes than mACI for chondral defects of the knee. Further studies are required to verify these results in a clinical setting.

Clinical and quality-of-life outcomes of a combined synthetic scaffold and autogenous tissue graft procedure for articular cartilage repair in the knee

Background

Injuries to the articular cartilage of the knee often fail to heal properly due to the hypocellular and avascular nature of this tissue. Subsequent disability can limit participation in sports and decrease quality of life. Subchondral bone perforations are used for the treatment of small defects. Filling out the central portion in larger lesions becomes difficult, and scaffolds can be used as adjuvants, providing a matrix onto which the defect can be filled in completely. Also, autogenous cartilage grafts can be combined, acting as an inducer and improving healing quality, all in a single procedure.

Methods

This observational study evaluated the clinical and quality-of-life outcomes of patients with articular cartilage lesions of the knee undergoing repair via a microfracture technique combined with a synthetic scaffold and autogenous cartilage graft, with transosseous sutures and fibrin glue fixation, at 12 months of follow-up. Secondarily, it assessed whether combined procedures, previous surgical intervention, traumatic aetiology, lesion location, and age affect outcomes. The sample consisted of adult patients (age 18–66 years) with symptoms consistent with chondral or osteochondral lesions, isolated or multiple, ICRS grade III/IV, 2–12 cm² in size. Patients with corrected angular deviations or instabilities were included. Those with BMI > 40 kg/m², prior total or subtotal (> 30%) meniscectomy, second-look procedures, and follow-up < 6 months were excluded. Pain (VAS), physical activity (IKDC), osteoarthritis (WOMAC), and general quality of life (SF-36) were assessed.

Results

64 procedures were included, comprising 60 patients. There was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in VAS score (5.92–2.37), IKDC score (33.44–56.33), and modified WOMAC score (53.26–75.93) after surgery. The SF-36 showed significant improvements in the physical and mental domains (30.49–40.23 and 46.43–49.84 respectively; both P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Combination of microfractures, autogenous crushed cartilage graft, synthetic scaffold, and transosseous sutures with fibrin glue provides secure fixation for treatment of articular cartilage lesions of the knee. At 12-month follow-up, function had improved by 20 points on the IKDC and WOMAC, and quality of life, by 10 points on the SF-36. Age > 45 years had a negative impact on outcomes.