Articular cartilage is the connective tissue of diarthrodial joints that function is to provide a smooth, lubricated surface for articulation and to distributes loads. Articular cartilage degenerates due to multiple factors, such as trauma, bone malalignment, overweight, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Articular cartilage is devoid blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves, and once damaged, it is difficult to heal itself. Current treatments include marrow tapping techniques, osteochondral auto/allo-grafting and cell-based techniques. But the result is generally a fibrocartilage, and the treatment is not satisfactory. Although cartilage tissue engineering as a promising new treatment method is being widely studied, there are still many hurdles to be solved. For example, degradation of the cartilage matrix and immune problems. This study aims to devise a new in vivo bioreactor for better culture of cartilage tissue. First, we evaluated whether the diffusion chamber made of cellulose membrane and silicone tube under the skin of nude mice was similar to the joint cavity environment, and whether it supported chondrogenesis. Secondly, we cultured cartilage tissue from xenogeneic cells in rabbit subcutaneous diffusion chamber and implanted it into the cartilage defect. Focusing on chondrogenesis, immunogenicity and cartilage healing, thereby establishing a in vivo bioreactor.
