Evaluation of Collagen Gel-Associated Human Nasal Septum-Derived Chondrocytes As a Clinically Applicable Injectable Therapeutic Agent for Cartilage Repair

Background:: Articular cartilage injury has a poor repair ability and limited regeneration capacity with therapy based on articular chondrocytes (ACs) implantation. Here, we validated the hypothesis that human nasal septum-derived chondrocytes (hNCs) are potent therapeutic agents for clinical use in cartilage tissue engineering using an injectable hydrogel, type I collagen (COL1). Methods:: We manufactured hNCs incorporated in clinical-grade soluble COL1 and investigated their clinical potential as agents in an articular defect model. Results:: The hNCs encapsulated in COL1 (hNC-collagen) were uniformly distributed throughout the collagen and showed much greater growth rate than hACs encapsulated in collagen for the 14 days of culture. Fluorescent staining of hNC-collagen showed high expression levels of chondrocyte-specific proteins under clinical conditions. Moreover, a negative mycoplasma screening result were obtained in culture of hNC-collagen. Notably, implantation of hNC-collagen increased the repair of osteochondral defects in rats compared with implantation of collagen only. Many human cells were detected within the cartilage defects. Conclusion:: These results provide reliable evidences supporting for clinical applications of hNC-collagen in regenerative medicine for cartilage repair.