Chondrogenic Properties of Primary Human Chondrocytes Culture in Hyaluronic Acid Treated Gelatin Scaffold
Dumnoensun Pruksakorn MD*, Nuengruethai Khamwaen MSc**, Peraphan Pothacharoen PhD**, Olarn Arpornchayanon MD*, Sattaya Rojanasthien MD*, Prachya Kongtawelert PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand ** Thailand Excellence Centre for Tissue Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Objective : To study the possibility of primary human chondrocytes culture in gelatin scaffold and the effects of
exogenous HA on chondrocyte differentiation and synthesis of the hyaline-like extracellular matrix.
Material and Method: Cartilage tissue was engineered by using primary human chondrocytes with HA-
treated gelatin scaffolds and gelatin scaffolds. The chondrogenic properties were monitored for chondrocyte
proliferation, adhesion, and hyaline-like extracellular matrix production in both groups. The results were
compared to each other.
Results : Chondrocyte proliferation, adhesive activity, and new HA production were significantly increased in
HA-treated gelatin scaffold (p < 0.05). Immuno histochemistry for WF6 epitope demonstrated the higher
quality of hyaline-like extracellular matrix production. Moreover, the scanning electron micrograph showed
a higher filling of extracellular matrix in the pore of scaffold of HA-treated gelatin scaffold than that in non-
HA treated scaffold.
Conclusion : The present study demonstrated the possible role of commercial gelatin-based scaffold in
cartilage tissue engineering. It also demonstrated that exogenous HA-treated scaffold provides positive effects
for chondrocytes.
Keywords : Cartilage, Chondrocytes, Hyaluronic acid, Tissue engineering
