# Laser Ablation Facilitates Implantation of Dynamic Self-Regenerating Cartilage for Articular Cartilage Regeneration

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining laser treatment with a self-regenerating cartilage implant improves cartilage regeneration in lab experiments.

## Contribution

A novel method using laser ablation and dynamic self-regenerating cartilage for articular cartilage regeneration is introduced.

## Key findings

- dSRC generated injectable matrices by week 2 and matured into solid neocartilage by week 8.
- dSRC produced high glycosaminoglycan and collagen type II, resembling native hyaline cartilage.
- dSRC outperformed isolated chondrocytes in forming contiguous cartilage in laser-ablated lesions.

## Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated a novel strategy for improving regenerative cartilage outcomes. It combines fractional laser treatment with the implantation of neocartilage generated from autologous dynamic Self-Regenerating Cartilage (dSRC). Methods: dSRC was generated in vitro from harvested autologous swine chondrocytes. Culture was performed for 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 weeks to study matrix maturation. Matrix formation and implant integration were also studied in vitro in swine cartilage discs using dSRC or cultured chondrocytes injected into CO2 laser-ablated or mechanically punched holes. Cartilage discs were cultured for up to 8 weeks, harvested, and evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically. Results: The dSRC matrix was injectable by week 2, and matrices grew larger and more solid with time, generating a contiguous neocartilage matrix by week 8. Hypercellular density in dSRC at week 2 decreased over time and approached that of native cartilage by week 8. All dSRC groups exhibited high glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production, and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that the matrix was typical of normal hyaline cartilage, being rich in collagen type II. After 8 weeks in cartilage lesions in vitro, dSRC constructs generated a contiguous cartilage matrix, while isolated cultured chondrocytes exhibited only a sparse pericellular matrix. dSRC-treated lesions exhibited high GAG production compared to those treated with isolated chondrocytes. Conclusions: Isolated dSRC exhibits hyaline cartilage formation, matures over time, and generates contiguous articular cartilage matrix in fractional laser-created microenvironments in vitro, being well integrated with native cartilage.