Building of HD MACs Using Cell Processing Robot for Cartilage Regeneration

Abstract

We have been working on the development of scaffold free cell delivery system, and showing good results in the regeneration of rabbit osteochondral defect for more than three years by implantation of molded mesenchymal stem cells construct without use of exogenous factors. The entire procedure is simple, yet it takes time and labor to build a single construct by even experienced hands. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop a cell processing robot for building scaffoldfree HD MACs (High-Density Mesenchymal stem cell Autologous Constructs) for cartilage regeneration. As a result, the scaffold-free HD MACs could be obtained with manual procedure just as the same without contamination. We have implanted the construct in a rabbit with osteochondral defect in the knee. In this study, we have developed a cell processing robot for cartilage regeneration. The entire system is almost GMP ready. We are preparing clinical trials at Kyushu University Hospital for HD MACs implantation to cartilage defect with this robot system.