Scaffold-Free Biofabrication for Articular Cartilage (and Subchondral Bone)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major joint disease that promotes locomotor deficiency with the associated disability and potentially decreases quality of life. In recent years, surgical methods to reconstruct both articular cartilage and subchondral bone for OA have been investigated to restore joint structure and function. In this chapter, several studies are introduced related to osteochondral regeneration using scaffold-free three-dimensional (3D) mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) constructs produced by using a “mold” and the “Kenzan” method. First, a study that demonstrated rabbit osteochondral regeneration following implantation of a “mold”-generated columnar construct consisting of autologous bone marrow-derived MSC spheroids is described. Second, examples are presented wherein the implantation using “mold”-made constructs consisted of autologous swine adipose tissue-derived (AT-) MSC spheroids deposited into osteochondral defects in minipigs. Next, a study concerning implantation of a “mold”-generated construct comprised of allogeneic AT-MSCs into a rabbit model is introduced. Furthermore, osteochondral regeneration following the autologous implantation of two swine AT-MSC tubular constructs fabricated by using the “Kenzan” method is considered, along with examples of histological examination of MSC constructs prepared by using either the “mold” or “Kenzan” methods. Finally, the future prospects of the “Kenzan” method for the further development of scaffold-free 3D cell constructions are discussed.