2021 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster
Methods for Articular Cartilage Evaluation Using Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy: ISAKOS Osteoarthritis Grant Translational Study
Tiago Lazzaretti Fernandes, MD, PhD, MSc, Post-Doctorate, São Paulo, SP BRAZIL
Isabella Zaia, MD, São Paulo BRAZIL
Rafaella Rogatto De Faria, PhD, São Paulo, São Paulo BRAZIL
Joao Paulo Cortez Santanna, MD, MSc, São Paulo, São Paulo BRAZIL
Carla Pinheiro, MSc, São Paulo, São Paulo BRAZIL
Vera Demarchi Aiello, MD, PhD, São Paulo, São Paulo BRAZIL
Roberto Bortolussi, PhD, São Bernardo Do Campo, SP BRAZIL
Cyro Albuquerque, Prof., PhD, São Paulo, SP BRAZIL
Arnaldo J. Hernandez, MD, PhD, São Paulo, SP BRAZIL
Daniela Franco Bueno, DDS, PhD, São Paulo, SP BRAZIL
University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, BRAZIL
FDA Status Not Applicable
Summary
To present method tools to evaluate cartilage restoration by tissue engineering and cell therapy using Tissue Engineering Construct (TEC) derived from dental pulp and synovial MSCs in a controlled large animal model
ePosters will be available shortly before Congress
Abstract
Introduction
Chondral injury is a limiting disease that may cause worsen in quality of life and economic burden, due to the cost of direct treatment and losses in work productivity. If left untreated, can result in knee disorders, which may progress to osteoarthritis (OA), which is a degenerative and debilitating joint disease characterized by pain and functional impairment. In the meantime, the predictable sources and relative easy of handling of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), that have immune modulatory properties and the ability to differentiate into chondroblasts and osteoblasts, are useful for tissue engineering and treatment of cartilage injuries. Objective: To present method tools to evaluate cartilage restoration by tissue engineering and cell therapy treatments in a translational and pre-clinical large animal model. Methods: Controlled experimental study with miniature pigs, using Tissue Engineering Construct (TEC) derived from dental pulp and synovial MSCs, developed from 2017 to 2020. The isolated full thickness cartilage defect was performed in both posterior knees. The defect was left empty in one of the knees and the other received the scaffold-free TEC. In order to compare both sides, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for morphologic and quantitative evaluations, macroscopic, histological and immune histochemistry tests for collagen types and mechanical characterizations were performed. Results: The tissue repair was morphologically assessed from MRI using the MOCART 3D score and compositional assessment was carried out based on T2 mapping. For the histopathology, the osteochondral specimens were fixed, decalcified, soaked and stained with hematoxylin & eosin. The sections stained for collagen types were digested with chondroitinase and incubated with monoclonal antibodies against them. Mechanical evaluation determined the Young’s modulus of the articular cartilage sample based on the indentation and maximum compression tests and the Finite Element model was used to simulate and characterize properties of the osteochondral block. Conclusion: Proposed methods were feasible and capable to properly evaluate the defect filled in with TEC containing stem cells after six months follow-up on a large animal model for articular cartilage restoration.