Repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects with a 3DP-anchored three-phase complex

INTRODUCTION: To repair cartilage defect as well as the calcified cartilage layer (CCL) and bone tissue, there is need to fabricate a three-phase complex that mimics the natural cartilage tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SF/Col-Ⅱ/HA scaffolds were constructed by low-temperature 3D printing, and to prepare a three-phase complex. The microstructure were showed using a SEM image analysis program. To observe collagen and glycosaminoglycan expression and analyze morphometric parameters, HE staining was performed to reveal new cartilage. Immunohistochemical were performed to investigate the collagen content and defect repair status in the new cartilage group in vitro and vivo. RESULTS: Physical and biochemical properties and biocompatibility of three-phase complex met the requirements of constructing tissue-engineered cartilage. The OD values increased gradually at different time points. With increasing culture time, the OD values showed an upward trend. The HE and immunohistochemical staining results showed that new cartilage had formed at the defect and new cartilage formation occurred during in vivo repair. CONCLUSION: 3DP-anchored three-phase complexes have good physical and biochemical properties and biocompatibility and thus represent an alternative cartilage tissue engineering material.