In articular cartilage-repair, grafts usually fuse unsatisfactorily with surrounding host cartilage. Enzymatic dissociation of cartilaginous matrix to free chondrocytes may benefit fusion. We tested such a hypothesis with human cartilage in vitro, and with porcine cartilage in vivo. Human articular cartilage was collected from knee surgeries, cut into disc-and-ring sets, and randomly distributed into three groups: disc-and-ring sets in Group 1 were left untreated; in Group 2 only discs, and in Group 3 both discs and rings were treated with enzyme. Each disc-and-ring reassembly was cultured in a perfusion system for 14 days; expression of cartilage marker proteins and genes was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Porcine articular cartilage from knees was similarly fashioned into disc-and-ring combinations. Specimens were randomly distributed into a control group without further treatment, and an experimental group with both disc and ring treated with enzyme. Each disc-and-ring reassembly was transplanted into subcutaneous space of a nude mouse for 30 days, and retrieved to examine disc-ring interface. In in vitro study with human cartilage, a visible gap remained at disc-ring interfaces in Group 1, yet became indiscernible in Group 2 and 3. Marker genes, including type II collagen, aggrecan and Sox 9, were well expressed by chondrocytes in all specimens, indicating that chondrocytes’ phenotype retained regardless of enzymatic treatment. Similar results were found inin vivo study with porcine cartilage. Enzymatic dissociation of cartilaginous matrix promotes fusion of adjacent cartilage. The clinical relevance may be a novel method to facilitate integration of repaired cartilage in joints.

在关节软骨修复中，移植物通常不能与周围的宿主软骨融合。软骨基质酶解离游离软骨细胞可能有益于融合。我们在体外用人软骨和在体内用猪软骨测试了这种假设。从膝关节手术中收集人的关节软骨，切成盘状和环状，并随机分为三组：第一组中的盘状和环状未经治疗；在仅第2组的椎间盘中，在第3组中，椎间盘和环均用酶处理。每次将盘和环重新组装后，在灌注系统中培养14天。通过免疫组织化学和PCR评估软骨标志物蛋白和基因的表达。来自膝盖的猪关节软骨也被类似地制成椎间盘和环的组合。将标本随机分配至对照组，无需进一步处理，将实验组的椎间盘和环均用酶处理。每次将盘-环重组体移植到裸鼠的皮下空间中30天，然后取出以检查盘-环界面。在在人类软骨的体外研究中，第1组的圆盘环界面处仍然存在可见的间隙，而在第2组和第3组中变得难以区分。在所有标本中，软骨细胞均能很好地表达包括II型胶原蛋白，聚集蛋白聚糖和Sox 9在内的标记基因。 ，表明无论采用何种酶处理方法，软骨细胞的表型均得以保留。在猪软骨的体内研究中发现了相似的结果。软骨基质的酶解离可促进相邻软骨的融合。临床相关性可能是促进关节中修复软骨整合的新方法。