Why Do Osteochondral Allografts Survive? Comparative Analysis of Cartilage Biochemical Properties Unveils a Molecular Basis for Durability.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transplantation of osteochondral allografts (OCAs) freshly preserved for ≥30 days has proven to be a reliable technique for cartilage resurfacing. However, the prolonged storage of allografts comes at the expense of chondrocyte viability, which declines precipitously after 14 days under refrigeration. Despite this, radiographic data indicate that most allograft cartilage remains stable for years after implantation. The apparent durability of partially devitalized cartilage begs the question of how the extracellular matrix is maintained.

Hypothesis

Compared with patients' defect cartilage, replacement OCAs freshly preserved for 36 days on average contain significantly lower levels of cartilage matrix-destructive metalloproteinases, which may contribute to the long-

SUBMITTER: Ding L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5038986 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature