Interaction of periosteal explants with articular chondrocytes alters expression profile of matrix metalloproteinases.

Periosteal tissue is a source of growth factors and of osteochondral progenitor cells which makes it suitable for implantation in chondral defects as known in autologous chondrocyte implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the interaction between periosteal tissue and articular chondrocytes with respect to catabolic effectors such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and IL-6. Human articular chondrocytes were cultured for up to 28 days as micromass pellets in coculture either with physical contact to periosteal explants or allowing paracrine interactions only.

Coculture between periosteal explants and articular chondrocytes induces expression of TGF-beta1 and collagen I.

Objective: Repair of focal articular cartilage lesions is usually performed by employing cell-based therapeutic strategies such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). The aim of this study was to determine whether periosteum exerts pro-chondrogenic effects on the transplanted cells beyond its biomechanical role in ACI.

Methods: Micromass pellets of human articular chondrocytes were cocultured for up to 28 days with human periosteal explants either with physical contact or separated by a membrane allowing paracrine interactions only.