Fabrication of chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues laden fibrin gel auricular scaffold for microtia reconstruction

• Published in: Journal of biomaterials applications 2021-02, Vol.35 (7), p.838-848
• Main Authors: Yue, Haiqiong, Pathak, Janak L, Zou, Rui, Qin, Lei, Liao, Ting, Hu, Yongxin, Kuang, Wei, Zhou, Libin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight; Cartilage - physiology; Chondrocytes - cytology; Congenital Microtia - metabolism; Congenital Microtia - surgery; Ear Auricle - physiology; Ear Cartilage - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Fibrin - chemistry; Gels - chemistry; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Rabbits; Silicones - chemistry; Swine; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry
• ISSN: 0885-3282; 1530-8022
• DOI: 10.1177/0885328220954415

Fibrin gel-based scaffolds have promising potential for microtia reconstruction. Autologous chondrocytes and chondrocyte cell sheets are frequently used seed cell sources for cartilage tissue engineering. However, the aesthetic outcome of chondrocyte-based microtia reconstruction is still not satisfactory. In this study, we aimed to fabricate the chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues laden fibrin gel auricular scaffold for microtia reconstruction. We designed a unique auricular mold that could fabricate a fibrin gel scaffold resembling human auricle anatomy. Primary chondrocytes were harvested from rabbit auricular cartilage, and chondrocyte cell sheets were developed. Chondrocyte-microtissues were prepared from the cell sheets. The mixture of chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues was laden in fibrin gel during the auricular scaffold fabrication. The protrusions and recessed structure in the auricular scaffold surface were still clearly distinguishable. After a one-week in vitro culture, the 3 D structure and auricular anatomy of the scaffold were retained. And followed by eight-week subcutaneous implantation, cartilaginous tissue was regenerated in the artificial auricular structure as indicated by the results of H&E, Toluidine blue, Safranin O, and type II collagen (immunohistochemistry) staining. Protrusions and depressions of the auricular scaffold were slightly deformed, but the overall auricular anatomy was maintained after 8-week in vivo implantation. Extracellular matrix components content were similar in artificial auricular cartilage and rabbit native auricular cartilage. In conclusion, the mixture of chondrocytes/chondrocyte-microtissues laden fibrin gel auricular scaffold showed a promising potential for cartilaginous tissue regeneration, suggesting this as an effective approach for autologous chondrocyte-based microtia reconstruction.