Phenotypic redifferentiation and cell cluster formation of cultured human articular chondrocytes in a three-dimensional oriented gelatin scaffold in the presence of PGE₂ - First results of a pilot study

Modern tissue engineering strategies comprise three elemental parameters: cells, scaffolds and growth factors. Articular cartilage represents a highly specialized tissue which allows frictionless gliding of corresponding articulating surfaces. As the regenerative potential of cartilage is low, tissue engineering-based strategies for cartilage regeneration represent a huge challenge. Prostaglandins function as regulators in cartilage development and metabolism, especially in growth plate chondrocytes. In this study, it was analyzed if prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) has an effect on the phenotypic differentiation of human chondrocytes cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) gelatin-based scaffold made by directional freezing and subsequent freeze-drying. As a result, it was clearly demonstrated that low doses of PGE₂ revealed beneficial effects on the phenotypic differentiation and collagen II expression of human articular chondrocytes in this 3D cell culture system. In conclusion, PGE₂ is an interesting candidate for tissue engineering applications since it represents an already well-studied molecule which is available in pharmaceutical quality.