Effects of growth factors on meniscal fibrochondrocytes.

To tissue engineer the knee meniscus, our laboratory follows a paradigm that includes biomaterial scaffolding, mechanical stimulation, and growth factor addition. The aim of this study was to study extracellular matrix (ECM) component uptake by meniscal fibrochondrocytes when stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor AB, transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), insulin-like growth factor type I, and basic fibroblast growth factor at various concentrations (low, medium, and high levels for each). Growth factors were applied to monolayer cultures for 3 weeks in a soluble form as part of the culture medium.

Growth factors and fibrochondrocytes in scaffolds.

Four growth factors, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), were tested at different concentrations for their effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) production in three-dimensional cultures of meniscal fibrochondrocytes. Cells from New Zealand white rabbits were seeded on poly-glycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds and were stimulated with growth factors for three weeks. (3)H-proline and (35)S-sulfate labels were used to measure uptake of collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) components, respectively.