Immunomodulation of tissue-engineered transplants: in vivo bone generation from methylprednisolone-stimulated chondrocytes.

Subcutaneously implanted, in vitro engineered tissue is generally affected by the immune system of the host even in autogenous transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate immunomodulation of subcutaneously implanted tissue-engineered cartilage transplants by intramuscular methylprednisolone application. Transplants consisted of auricular rabbit chondrocytes, polylactide-polyglycolide co-polymer fleeces and species-specific fibrin or agarose.