A new approach to an artificial joint based on bio-cartilage/porous β-tricalcium phosphate system

A new artificial joint model based on the system of bio-cartilage and porous β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) was fabricated. The porous β-TCP with 100 μm or so of average pore diameter was prepared by hydrothermal treatment and successive ceramic foaming method. The bio-cartilage part consisted of 0.15% collagen gel with chondrogenic ATDC5 cells. ATDC5 cells in the bio-cartilage/porous β-TCP system were cultured to give an artificial joint model. In the artificial joint model, metachromasia was observed with toluidine blue staining. From the FT-IR spectra of the bio-cartilage, formation of proteoglycans was suggested. In addition, alkaline phosphatase activity increased dramatically. ATDC5 cells grew to produce cartilage matrices in this system.