For the repair of a cartilage defect in a human or animal patient, e.g. a full thickness articular cartilage defect, use is made of an implant (1) comprising an implant body (2) including a natural cartilage matrix and being coated with cells having a chondrogenic potential, preferably autologous cells. Preferably, the implant body consists of autologous cartilage tissue with viable chondrocytes integrated therein which cartilage tissue is produced by in vitro tissue culturing. Preferably, the cells for producing the cartilage tissue and for coating the implant body surfaces are the same. These cells are produced by in vitro cell proliferation starting from chondrocytes isolated from a cartilage biopsy. The chondrocytes which are de-differentiated during cell proliferation are re-differentiated during tissue culturing and are in particular suitable for producing and maintaining the cartilage matrix of the implant body. The cells adhering to the surface of the implant body are preferably also chondrocytes being de-differentiated by cell proliferation, but not re-differentiated, and are therefore particularly suitable for integrating the implant in the defect. Due to the cells adhering to the surface of the implant body, the implant is successfully integrated in the viable tissue surrounding the defect.L’invention a pour objet de réparer un défaut d’un cartilage chez un patient humain ou animal, par exemple un défaut sur toute l’épaisseur du cartilage articulaire, au moyen d’un implant (1) comprenant un corps dimplant (2) formé d’une matrice de cartilage naturelle et recouvert de cellules à potentiel chondrogène, cellules autologues préférablement. De préférence, le corps de limplant consiste en du tissu cartilagineux autologue intégrant des chondrocytes viables, et dont le tissu cartilagineux est produit par culture tissulaire in vitro. De préférence, les cellules produisant le tissu cartilagineux et celles recouvrant les surfaces du corps de limplant sont les mêmes.
