OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that tissue-engineered cartilage can be bioincorporated with a nonreactive, permanent endoskeletal scaffold.

METHODSChondrocytes obtained from swine articular were seeded onto polyglycolic acids(PGA) scaffold which was incorporated with high-density polyethylene (Medpor). After cultured in vitro for two weeks,the cell-scaffold construct was implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the back of nude mice. Six weeks later,the newly formed cartilage prosthesis was harvested, and a small part of sample was evaluated by gross view, histology, type II collagen immunohistochemistry and biochemistry. PGA scaffold seeded with cells as the control group.

RESULTSThe newly formed cartilage was very similar to normal cartilage in both gross view and histology, and jointed Medpor tightly. The center of control group was hollow.

CONCLUSIONThis pilot technique combining tissue engineering with a permanent success in creating cartilage without "hollow" phenomenon. biocompatible endoskeleton demonstrated