Scaffold-dependent differentiation of human articular chondrocytes.

Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) is a tissue-engineered approach for the treatment of cartilage defects and combines autologous chondrocytes seeded on biomaterials. The objective of the study is the analysis of growth and differentiation behaviour of human articular chondrocytes grown on three different matrices used for MACT. Human articular chondrocytes were kept in monolayer culture for 42 days and then seeded on matrices consisting of either collagen type I/III, hyaluronan, or gelatine.