Viability of Cells From Displaced Fragments of the Elbow Osteochondritis Dissecans: Alternative Source of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Purpose To assess the histological properties of cells from displaced fragments obtained from patients with advanced osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow and to examine whether these displaced fragments could be used as cell sources for autologous chondrocyte implantation. Methods We harvested 6 displaced fragments from 6 patients who underwent osteochondral mosaicplasty for OCD of the elbow. The displaced fragments were examined histologically and digested to obtain chondrocytes. The cells obtained from young patients and skeletally matured cadaveric donors were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis to quantify the expression of chondrocyte marker genes. The cells were cultured in atelocollagen, and the properties of 3-dimensional cultured cartilage were examined. Results All 6 displaced fragments contained hyaline cartilage tissue. Chondrocyte marker genes were examined using cells from only 4 patients, because we obtained enough cells in only 4 patients. The relative expression levels of aggrecan, type II, Sox 9 were 2.61, 4.03, and 1.71, respectively. Three-dimensional cultured cartilage from all 6 displaced fragments contained 62.0 pg/cell (range, 22.8-91.3 pg/cell) of glycosaminoglycan and expressed type II collagen in the superficial and middle layer. Conclusions The chondrocytes obtained from the displaced fragments remained viable and exhibited chondrogenic features. These cells may potentially be a cell source of autologous chondrocytes implantation. Clinical Relevance We have shown that displaced fragments from OCD of the elbow have potential for a cell source for generating 3-dimensional cultured cartilage.