Cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis affect over fifty million people each year and as of yet, there is no """"""""cure"""""""" for their condition. The long term objective of this proposal is to develop an in vitro system for generating articular cartilage using fibroblastic cells, which can then be used in future repairs of cartilage.
The specific aims will address the need for engineered cartilage and also the source of cells for the construct. Initially, (SA1) fibroblastic cells will be tested for the ability to differentiate into chondrocytes in monolayer culture when placed under various culture conditions. Differentiation will be assessed by expression of chondrocyte genes. Secondly, (SA2) these cells will be cultured in a three dimensional construct to determine to what extent they can form functional cartilage.
This aim will have direct bearing on the application of adult """"""""non-stem cells"""""""" in tissue engineering. Finally, (SA3) the cells will be transfected with anti-inflammatory or inhibitors of matrix degredation prior to three dimensional culture to examine the possibility of including these self-defense mechanisms in cartilage to be transplanted into patients. This would allow for the development of engineered tissues that are more able to withstand the transfer into a damaged environment. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AR049127-02
Application #
6732665
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F10 (20))
Program Officer
Tyree, Bernadette
Project Start
2003-05-15
Project End
2004-12-31
Budget Start
2004-05-01
Budget End
2004-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$36,426
Indirect Cost
Name
Rice University
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
050299031
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77005