Comparison of articular and auricular cartilages: decellularization, cell proliferation rate, and infiltration in scaffolds

Purpose: Various treatment approaches are applied to repair damaged cartilage. However, a developing field of tissue engineering holds a realistic promise to replace injured cartilage tissue using the patient’s cells. Using one type of chondrocytes to repair functionally different and far localized cartilage can be feasible from a clinical perspective. Toward this ultimate goal, we aimed to implement key protocols utilized in tissue engineering of articular (AR) and auricular (AU) cartilages. Methods: The experiments were performed according to established protocols that include chondrocyte isolation, assessment of the cell proliferation rates, the degree of cell infiltration in three-dimensional scaffolds, and cartilage decellularization efficacy. Results: The data pointed to significant discrepancies in the size and in vitro chondrocytes proliferation rate isolated from distinct types of cartilage, with AR chondrocytes being 55% larger (p < 0.01) while having a slower rate of proliferation. Both collagen- and alginate-based scaffolds showed relevant properties for cell infiltration. Lastly, we have shown that the AR and AU cartilages are decellularized to a different degree (17 ± 5.5% vs. 42 ± 8.5%, p < 0.01) while using the same SDS-based decellularization protocol. Conclusion: This study will contribute to the global efforts to rebuild damaged cartilage with the help of tissue engineering. © 2021, Sociedade Brasileira de Engenharia Biomedica.