The effects of types of degradable polymers on porcine chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation and gene expression

Understanding how a specific biomaterial may influence chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation and gene expression is important in cartilage tissue engineering. In this study several biodegradable polymers that are commonly used in tissue engineering were evaluated with respect to their influence on chondrocyte attachment, proliferation and gene expression. Primary cultures of porcine chondrocytes were performed in films made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA), poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), or polycaprolactone (PCL). Chondrocytes adhered to PDLLA or PLGA after 1-day incubation better than to PLLA or PCL. After 7 or 14 day culture, the cell numbers on PDLLA or PLGA was still higher than PLLA or PCL. The results suggested that cell attachment and growth might depend on degradation rate of biodegradable polymers. Along with the fact that PDLLA or PLGA supported expression of chondrocyte specific genes more than PLLA or PCL, the former two materials seemed to be more suitable for cartilage tissue engineering than the latter ones. Besides, we found that chondrocyte phenotype prior to seeding was important in the expression of ECM proteins.