Scientific Developments and Clinical Applications Utilizing Chondrons and Chondrocytes with Matrix for Cartilage Repair

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Injuries to articular cartilage of the knee are increasingly common. The operative management of these focal chondral lesions continues to be problematic for the treating orthopedic surgeon secondary to the limited regenerative capacity of articular cartilage. The pericellular matrix (PCM) is a specialized, thin layer of the extracellular matrix that immediately surrounds chondrocytes forming a unit together called the chondron. The advancements in our knowledge base with regard to the PCM/chondrons as well as interterritorial matrix has permeated and led to advancements in product development in conjunction with minced cartilage, marrow stimulation, osteochondral allograft, and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). This review intends to summarize recent progress in chondrocytes with matrix research, with an emphasis on the role the PCM/extracellular matrix (ECM) plays for favorable chondrogenic gene expression, as a barrier/filtration unit, and in osteoarthritis. The bulk of the review describes cutting-edge and evolving clinical developments and discuss these developments in light of underlying basic science applications. Clinical applications of chondrocytes with matrix science include Reveille Cartilage Processor, Cartiform, and ACI with Spherox (which was recently recommended for the treatment of grade III or IV articular cartilage defects over 2 cm 2 by the National

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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