Analysis of the in vitro engineering of human chondrocytes with fcs-free culture-medium. Minimization of the possible risk of infection with germs of prion disease

Background: The in vitro engineering of autologous transplant might play an important role in reconstructive surgery in the near future. The amplification of isolated cells is an important part of the engineering. Because of the use of fetal calf serum (fcs) in the cellculture, there is a potential risk of transmission of prion diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate a way of amplifying chondrocytes with autologous human serum instead of fcs and to compare the rates of proliferation. Methods: For this purpose the isolated chondrocytes were cultured using complete medium, with 10% fcs or 10% autologous human serum being added to the medium. Results: The experiments show that a culture with complete medium and autologous human serum allows a 150 to 300fold increase in the number of cells after 40 days of culture and the proliferation is up to 3fold higher than in cultures using fcs. Discussion: Chondrocytes can be stimulated by autologous human serum to proliferate. It is possible to avoid fcs in the culture of chondrocytes and to minimize the risk of an infection with prions.