Chondrocyte Transplantation

The transplantation of chondrocytes as a treatment to repair defects and degeneration in hyaline articular cartilage is being tested in numerous laboratory and clinical settings. This has included transplanting chondrocytes grown in tissue culture that were procured from non-weight-bearing areas of the affected joint to transplanting allografts with living chondrocytes in their intact cartilaginous matrix. Reported success with transplanting host and donor chondrocytes has varied and widespread application of these techniques still awaits more definitive studies. The clinician needs more evidence that the transplanted chondrocytes maintain their viability and that they synthesize the appropriate extracellular matrix. This new matrix needs to reproduce the functional, mechanical, and long-term wear properties of the native articular cartilage. Chondrocyte transplantation also merits further monitoring for possible delayed immunogenicity or for any signs of neoplastic potential. This exciting technology and its potential application to damaged and degenerated articular cartilage remains a stimulus to encourage further scientific work. Duplicating the unique and complex interrelations of the chondrocytes, matrix, and various bioactive factors is still some years away from general patient care.