Significance
Tissue engineering is a promising technique for bone-to-tendon interface (BTI) regeneration after injury, but it is still a long way from clinical application. One of the major reasons is the lack of suitable seed cells. This study found an ideal source of seed cells derived from costal cartilages (CDSCs). Compared to the traditional seed cell BMSCs, CDSCs have higher proliferation ability, strong chondrogenic and tenogenic differentiation potential, and better adaptability to low-oxygen and low nutrient conditions. CDSCs were able to survive, proliferate, and regenerate BTI structures in situ, in contrast to BMSCs. CDSCs transplantation showed strong BTI structures regeneration potential both histologically and biomechanically, making it a suitable seed cell for the tissue engineering regeneration of BTI.
Statement of significance
Tissue engineering is a promising technique for bone-to-tendon interface (BTI) regeneration after injury, but it is still a long way from clinical application. One of the major reasons is the lack of suitable seed cells. This study found an ideal source of seed cells derived from costal cartilages (CDSCs). Compared to the traditional seed cell BMSCs, CDSCs have higher proliferation ability, strong chondrogenic and tenogenic differentiation potential, and better adaptability to low-oxygen and low nutrient conditions. CDSCs were able to survive, proliferate, and regenerate BTI structures in situ, in contrast to BMSCs. CDSCs transplantation showed strong BTI structures regeneration potential both histologically and biomechanically, making it a suitable seed cell for the tissue engineering regeneration of BTI.