Chitosan supports the expression of extracellular matrix
proteins in human osteoblasts and chondrocytes
Ashkan Lahiji, Afshin Sohrabi, David S. Hungerford, Carmelita G. Prondoza
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, folms Hopkins University, Professional Office Building,
5601 Loch Reven Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21239
Received 21 April 1999; revised 6 fanuary 2060; accepts 26 January 2000
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INTRODUCTION
The need for more effective metheds of repairing
bone and cartilage defects has prompted investigation
into the utility of tissue engineering approaches. One
such approach is to generate histologically and func-
tionally normal tissue by delivering healthy celis in 2
biocompatible scaffold, The cell-material complex can
then be implanted to repair osseous and chondral de-
fects, A number of natural and synthetic materials
have been considered for their potential use as cell
delivery vehicles However, the identilication of ma-
terials that can support osteoblast and chondrocyte
Coccespondence to: C. Frondora: email: cphrondoe
nents
‘Conleact grant sponsor: The Joly Hopkins University Or
thopadic Hheamatotogy Gilt Fund
CConteact grant sponsur The Good Samactan Hospital
1a john Way Sons. tne
cytochemistry. Osteoblasts and chondrocytes appeared
spherical and refractile on chitosan-