Local stimulation of articular cartilage repair by transplantation of encapsulated chondrocytes overexpressing human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2)in vivo

Abstract

The data suggest that localized overexpression of FGF-2 enhances the repair of cartilage defects via stimulation of chondrogenesis, without adverse effects on the synovial membrane. These results may lead to the development of safe gene-based therapies for human articular cartilage defects.