Conclusions
Our data demonstrate that cryopreservation has a profound impact on chondrocyte metabolic activity by decreasing the expression of COL2A1 and MIA in Hyalograft® C transplants, independent of the duration of cryopreservation.
Methods
Gene expression of chondrocyte markers [collagen type I (COL1A1), COL2A1, aggrecan, versican, melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) and interleukin (IL)-1β] was analysed in cartilage biopsies (n = 17) and Hyalograft® C transplant samples (non-cryopreserved = 78, cryopreserved = 13) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of the above-named parameters on the level of gene expression.
Purpose
Our aim was to evaluate the impact of cryopreservation, cultivation time and patient's age on the expression of specific chondrogenic markers in Hyalograft® C transplants.
Results
Cryopreservation of cells was found to decrease COL2A1 and MIA significantly (4.6-fold, p < 0.01 and 2-fold, p < 0.045, respectively). The duration of cryopreservation had no further influence on the expression of these factors. No correlation was detected between cultivation time (75 ± 31 days) and the expression level of any gene. Cartilage transplants from older patients (>35 years) exhibited a significantly higher IL-1β expression (3.7-fold, p < 0.039) than transplants from younger patients (≤ 35 years). Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that cryopreservation has a profound impact on chondrocyte metabolic activity by decreasing the expression of COL2A1 and MIA in Hyalograft® C transplants, independent of the duration of cryopreservation.