Abstract: Cartilage has a limited capacity to heal. Although chondrocyte transplantation is a useful therapeutic strategy, the repair process can be lengthy. Previously we have shown that over expression of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in chondrocytes by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer leads to increased matrix synthesis and cartilage-like tissue formation in vitro. In this context we hypothesized that implantation of genetically modified chondrocytes expressing BMP-7 would accelerate the formation of hyaline-like repair tissue in an equine model of cartilage defect repair. Methods: Chondrocytes treated with adenovirus vector encoding BMP-7 (AdBMP-7) or as control, an adenovirus vector encoding an irrelevant gene (Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase, AdCD) were implanted into extensive (15 mm diameter) articular cartilage defects in the patellofemoral joints of 10 horses. Biopsies were performed to evaluate early healing at 4 weeks. At the terminal time point of 8 months, repairs were assessed for morphology, MRI appearance, compressive strength, biochemical composition and persistence of implanted cells. Results: Four weeks after surgery AdBMP-7-treated repairs showed an increased level of BMP-7 expression and accelerated healing, with markedly more hyaline-like morphology than control. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the repair tissue 8 months after surgery showed that few implanted cells persisted. By this time, the controls had healed similarly to the AdBMP-7-treated defects, and no difference was detected in the morphologic, biochemical or biomechanical properties of the repair tissues from the two treatment groups. Conclusions: Implantation of genetically modified chondrocytes expressing BMP-7 accelerates the appearance of hyaline-like repair tissue in experimental cartilage defects. Conclusions: Rehabilitation after cell-based cartilage repair can be prolonged, leading to decreased patient productivity and quality of life. This study shows the feasibility of using genetically modified chondrocytes to accelerate cartilage healing.
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The research article focuses on accelerating the healing process of cartilage by using genetically modified chondrocytes, which have been treated to over express the protein BMP-7.
Research context and hypothesis
The context for this research arises from the limited capacity of cartilage to heal and the significant time commitment involved in carilage repair through chondrocyte transplantation.
Researchers developed a hypothesis around the ability of an over expressed protein, bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), to accelerate the formation of hyaline-like repair tissue.
The hypothesis was tested using an equine model of cartilage defect repair.
Methods of the study
Chondrocytes were treated with either an adenovirus vector encoding BMP-7 or a control vector encoding an irrelevant gene, then implanted into significant cartilage defects in the patellofemoral joints of 10 horses.
Early healing was measured through biopsies at 4 weeks post-surgery.
New tissues were evaluated through morphology, MRI appearance, compressive strength, biochemical composition and persistence of implanted cells.
The controls were compared with the AdBMP-7-treated defects after 8 months.
Results of the study
Repairs treated with BMP-7 showed increased expression of BMP-7 and accelerated healing, particularly a higher hyaline-like morphology than the control group.
Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the tissue after 8 months revealed that few implanted cells survived.
By the end of 8 months, controls healed comparably to the BMP-7-treated groups, with no difference detected in morphologic, biochemical or biomechanical properties of the repair tissues.
Conclusions drawn from the study
The results show that the use of genetically modified chondrocytes expressing BMP-7 can accelerate the formation of hyaline-like repair tissue in cartilage defects.
This acceleration of the healing process could potentially shorten the rehabilitation period after cell-based cartilage repair, therefore enhancing productivity and quality of life of patients.
However, there remains a need for further research to understand the longevity and durability of these results, as differences between the treated and control groups disappeared after 8 months.
Cite This Article
APA
Hidaka C, Goodrich LR, Chen CT, Warren RF, Crystal RG, Nixon AJ.
(2003).
Acceleration of cartilage repair by genetically modified chondrocytes over expressing bone morphogenetic protein-7.
J Orthop Res, 21(4), 573-583.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0736-0266(02)00264-4
Laboratory for Soft Tissue Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Goodrich, Laurie R
Chen, Chih-Tung
Warren, Russell F
Crystal, Ronald G
Nixon, Alan J
MeSH Terms
Adenoviridae / genetics
Animals
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics
Cartilage / injuries
Cartilage / pathology
Cartilage Diseases / pathology
Cartilage Diseases / therapy
Cartilage Diseases / veterinary
Chondrocytes / physiology
Chondrocytes / transplantation
Compressive Strength
DNA / analysis
Female
Gene Expression
Genetic Therapy / methods
Genetic Vectors
Graft Survival
Horse Diseases / pathology
Horse Diseases / therapy
Horses
Knee Joint / diagnostic imaging
Knee Joint / pathology
Male
Radiography
Synovial Fluid
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Wound Healing
Grant Funding
RR07059-05 / NCRR NIH HHS
T32AR07281 / NIAMS NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 45 times.
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