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Weber P, Asadikorayem M, Zenobi-Wong M. Zwitterionic Poly-Carboxybetaine Polymers Restore Lubrication of Inflamed Articular Cartilage. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401623. [PMID: 39007282 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is associated with decreased synovial fluid viscosity and increased cartilage friction. Though viscosupplements are available for decades, their clinical efficacy is limited and there is ample need for more effective joint lubricants. This study first evaluates the tribological and biochemical properties of bovine articular cartilage explants after stimulation with the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β. This model is then used to investigate the tribological potential of carboxybetaine (CBAA)-based zwitterionic polymers of linear and bottlebrush architecture. Due to their affinity for cartilage tissue, these polymers form a highly hydrated surface layer that decreases friction under high load in the boundary lubrication regime. For linear pCBAA, these benefits are retained over several weeks and the relaxation time of cartilage explants under compression is furthermore decreased, thereby potentially boosting the weeping lubrication mechanism. Bottlebrush bb-pCBAA shows smaller benefits under boundary lubrication but is more viscous than linear pCBAA, therefore providing better lubrication under low load in the fluid-film regime and enabling a longer residence time to bind to the cartilage surface. Showing how CBAA-based polymers restore the lost lubrication mechanisms during inflammation can inspire the next steps toward more effective joint lubricants in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Weber
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Maryam Asadikorayem
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Marcy Zenobi-Wong
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
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2
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Porter A, Newcomb E, DiStefano S, Poplawski J, Kim J, Axe M, Lucas Lu X. Triamcinolone acetonide has minimal effect on short- and long-term metabolic activities of cartilage. J Orthop Res 2024. [PMID: 38860529 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections, such as triamcinolone acetonide (TA), are commonly used by clinicians to manage joint synovial inflammation. However, due to conflicting evidence in literature, there is a fear among clinicians that the injections may be harmful to otherwise healthy cartilage in young patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of TA on young, healthy chondrocytes. Articular cartilage samples were harvested from bovine knee joints (1-2 months old). In both healthy and inflammatory (interleukin-1β) challenged cartilage, samples were treated with TA at doses ranging from 1 nM to 200 μM. Following a short- (2 days) or long-term (10-14 days) treatment, chondrocyte viability, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and degradation were evaluated with a click chemistry-based technique. Chondrocyte viability, proliferation, and anabolic activity were all minimally affected by short-term and long-term TA treatment. After both acute and sustained inflammatory challenges, TA reduced the catabolic activities in cartilage, reducing nascent glycosaminoglycan loss and maintaining cartilage mechanical properties. Overall, at physiologically relevant doses, TA had minimal negative impact on chondrocytes when maintained within their native ECM. Clinical significance: The findings provide new insight for current clinical practices concerning the use of TA in intra-articular injections, especially in young patients, and established a foundation for future investigations into the impact of corticosteroids on joint homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Porter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Emily Newcomb
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Steven DiStefano
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Jacob Poplawski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Jonathan Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Michael Axe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Xin Lucas Lu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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3
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Batool S, Roth BJ, Xia Y. Depth-Dependent Strain Model (1D) for Anisotropic Fibrils in Articular Cartilage. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:238. [PMID: 38204091 PMCID: PMC10779946 DOI: 10.3390/ma17010238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical response of articular cartilage (AC) under compression is anisotropic and depth-dependent. AC is osmotically active, and its intrinsic osmotic swelling pressure is balanced by its collagen fibril network. This mechanism requires the collagen fibers to be under a state of tensile pre-strain. A simple mathematical model is used to explain the depth-dependent strain calculations observed in articular cartilage under 1D axial compression (perpendicular to the articular surface). The collagen fibers are under pre-strain, influenced by proteoglycan concentration (fixed charged density, FCD) and collagen stiffness against swelling stress. The stiffness is introduced in our model as an anisotropic modulus that varies with fibril orientation through tissue depth. The collagen fibers are stiffer to stretching parallel to their length than perpendicular to it; when combined with depth-varying FCD, the model successfully predicts how tissue strains decrease with depth during compression. In summary, this model highlights that the mechanical properties of cartilage depend not only on proteoglycan concentration but also on the intrinsic properties of the pre-strained collagen network. These properties are essential for the proper functioning of articular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradley J. Roth
- Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA; (S.B.); (Y.X.)
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4
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Mancini IAD, Levato R, Ksiezarczyk MM, Castilho MD, Chen M, van Rijen MHP, IJsseldijk LL, Kik M, van Weeren PR, Malda J. Microstructural differences in the osteochondral unit of terrestrial and aquatic mammals. eLife 2023; 12:e80936. [PMID: 38009703 PMCID: PMC10781421 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During evolution, animals have returned from land to water, adapting with morphological modifications to life in an aquatic environment. We compared the osteochondral units of the humeral head of marine and terrestrial mammals across species spanning a wide range of body weights, focusing on microstructural organization and biomechanical performance. Aquatic mammals feature cartilage with essentially random collagen fiber configuration, lacking the depth-dependent, arcade-like organization characteristic of terrestrial mammalian species. They have a less stiff articular cartilage at equilibrium with a significantly lower peak modulus, and at the osteochondral interface do not have a calcified cartilage layer, displaying only a thin, highly porous subchondral bone plate. This totally different constitution of the osteochondral unit in aquatic mammals reflects that accommodation of loading is the primordial function of the osteochondral unit. Recognizing the crucial importance of the microarchitecture-function relationship is pivotal for understanding articular biology and, hence, for the development of durable functional regenerative approaches for treatment of joint damage, which are thus far lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina AD Mancini
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Riccardo Levato
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Marlena M Ksiezarczyk
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Miguel Dias Castilho
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenNetherlands
| | - Michael Chen
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
| | - Mattie HP van Rijen
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Marja Kik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - P René van Weeren
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Jos Malda
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
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5
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Linus A, Tanska P, Sarin JK, Nippolainen E, Tiitu V, Mäkelä JTA, Töyräs J, Korhonen RK, Mononen ME, Afara IO. Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Enables Differentiation of Normal and Early Osteoarthritic Human Knee Joint Articular Cartilage. Ann Biomed Eng 2023; 51:2245-2257. [PMID: 37332006 PMCID: PMC10518273 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03261-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis degenerates cartilage and impairs joint function. Early intervention opportunities are missed as current diagnostic methods are insensitive to early tissue degeneration. We investigated the capability of visible light-near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) to differentiate normal human cartilage from early osteoarthritic one. Vis-NIRS spectra, biomechanical properties and the state of osteoarthritis (OARSI grade) were quantified from osteochondral samples harvested from different anatomical sites of human cadaver knees. Two support vector machines (SVM) classifiers were developed based on the Vis-NIRS spectra and OARSI scores. The first classifier was designed to distinguish normal (OARSI: 0-1) from general osteoarthritic cartilage (OARSI: 2-5) to check the general suitability of the approach yielding an average accuracy of 75% (AUC = 0.77). Then, the second classifier was designed to distinguish normal from early osteoarthritic cartilage (OARSI: 2-3) yielding an average accuracy of 71% (AUC = 0.73). Important wavelength regions for differentiating normal from early osteoarthritic cartilage were related to collagen organization (wavelength region: 400-600 nm), collagen content (1000-1300 nm) and proteoglycan content (1600-1850 nm). The findings suggest that Vis-NIRS allows objective differentiation of normal and early osteoarthritic tissue, e.g., during arthroscopic repair surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awuniji Linus
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Petri Tanska
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jaakko K Sarin
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical Imaging Center, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ervin Nippolainen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Virpi Tiitu
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Janne T A Mäkelä
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Töyräs
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rami K Korhonen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mika E Mononen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Isaac O Afara
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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6
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Kwok B, Chandrasekaran P, Wang C, He L, Mauck RL, Dyment NA, Koyama E, Han L. Rapid specialization and stiffening of the primitive matrix in developing articular cartilage and meniscus. Acta Biomater 2023; 168:235-251. [PMID: 37414114 PMCID: PMC10529006 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding early patterning events in the extracellular matrix (ECM) formation can provide a blueprint for regenerative strategies to better recapitulate the function of native tissues. Currently, there is little knowledge on the initial, incipient ECM of articular cartilage and meniscus, two load-bearing counterparts of the knee joint. This study elucidated distinctive traits of their developing ECMs by studying the composition and biomechanics of these two tissues in mice from mid-gestation (embryonic day 15.5) to neo-natal (post-natal day 7) stages. We show that articular cartilage initiates with the formation of a pericellular matrix (PCM)-like primitive matrix, followed by the separation into distinct PCM and territorial/interterritorial (T/IT)-ECM domains, and then, further expansion of the T/IT-ECM through maturity. In this process, the primitive matrix undergoes a rapid, exponential stiffening, with a daily modulus increase rate of 35.7% [31.9 39.6]% (mean [95% CI]). Meanwhile, the matrix becomes more heterogeneous in the spatial distribution of properties, with concurrent exponential increases in the standard deviation of micromodulus and the slope correlating local micromodulus with the distance from cell surface. In comparison to articular cartilage, the primitive matrix of meniscus also exhibits exponential stiffening and an increase in heterogeneity, albeit with a much slower daily stiffening rate of 19.8% [14.9 24.9]% and a delayed separation of PCM and T/IT-ECM. These contrasts underscore distinct development paths of hyaline versus fibrocartilage. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into how knee joint tissues form to better guide cell- and biomaterial-based repair of articular cartilage, meniscus and potentially other load-bearing cartilaginous tissues. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Successful regeneration of articular cartilage and meniscus is challenged by incomplete knowledge of early events that drive the initial formation of the tissues' extracellular matrix in vivo. This study shows that articular cartilage initiates with a pericellular matrix (PCM)-like primitive matrix during embryonic development. This primitive matrix then separates into distinct PCM and territorial/interterritorial domains, undergoes an exponential daily stiffening of ≈36% and an increase in micromechanical heterogeneity. At this early stage, the meniscus primitive matrix shows differential molecular traits and exhibits a slower daily stiffening of ≈20%, underscoring distinct matrix development between these two tissues. Our findings thus establish a new blueprint to guide the design of regenerative strategies to recapitulate the key developmental steps in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Kwok
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Prashant Chandrasekaran
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Lan He
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Robert L Mauck
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Nathaniel A Dyment
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Eiki Koyama
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Lin Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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7
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Wang B, Barceló X, Von Euw S, Kelly DJ. 3D printing of mechanically functional meniscal tissue equivalents using high concentration extracellular matrix inks. Mater Today Bio 2023; 20:100624. [PMID: 37122835 PMCID: PMC10130628 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has emerged as a promising biomaterial in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to its ability to provide specific biochemical and biophysical cues supportive of the regeneration of diverse tissue types. Such biomaterials have also been used to produce tissue-specific inks and bioinks for 3D printing applications. However, a major limitation associated with the use of such dECM materials is their poor mechanical properties, which limits their use in load-bearing applications such as meniscus regeneration. In this study, native porcine menisci were solubilized and decellularized using different methods to produce highly concentrated dECM inks of differing biochemical content and printability. All dECM inks displayed shear thinning and thixotropic properties, with increased viscosity and improved printability observed at higher pH levels, enabling the 3D printing of anatomically defined meniscal implants. With additional crosslinking of the dECM inks following thermal gelation at pH 11, it was possible to fabricate highly elastic meniscal tissue equivalents with compressive mechanical properties similar to the native tissue. These improved mechanical properties at higher pH correlated with the development of a denser network of smaller diameter collagen fibers. These constructs also displayed repeatable loading and unloading curves when subjected to long-term cyclic compression tests. Moreover, the printing of dECM inks at the appropriate pH promoted a preferential alignment of the collagen fibers. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the potential of 3D printing of highly concentrated meniscus dECM inks to produce mechanically functional and biocompatible implants for meniscal tissue regeneration. This approach could be applied to a wide variety of different biological tissues, enabling the 3D printing of tissue mimics with diverse applications from tissue engineering to surgical planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research, Ireland
| | - Xavier Barceló
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research, Ireland
| | - Stanislas Von Euw
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniel J. Kelly
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Regenarative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research, Ireland
- Corresponding author. Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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8
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Sevastianov VI, Basok YB, Grigoriev AM, Nemets EA, Kirillova AD, Kirsanova LA, Lazhko AE, Subbot A, Kravchik MV, Khesuani YD, Koudan EV, Gautier SV. Decellularization of cartilage microparticles: Effects of temperature, supercritical carbon dioxide and ultrasound on biochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. J Biomed Mater Res A 2023; 111:543-555. [PMID: 36478378 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the approaches to restoring the structure of damaged cartilage tissue is an intra-articular injection of tissue-engineered medical products (TEMPs) consisting of biocompatible matrices loaded with cells. The most interesting are the absorbable matrices from decellularized tissues, provided that the cellular material is completely removed from them with the maximum possible preservation of the structure and composition of the natural extracellular matrix. The present study investigated the mechanical, biochemical, and biological properties of decellularized porcine cartilage microparticles (DCMps) obtained by techniques, differing only in physical treatments, such as freeze-thaw cycling (Protocol 1), supercritical carbon dioxide fluid (Protocol 2) and ultrasound (Protocol 3). Full tissue decellularization was achieved, as confirmed by the histological analysis and DNA quantification, though all the resultant DCMps had reduced glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagen. The elastic modulus of all DCMp samples was also significantly reduced. Most notably, DCMps prepared with Protocol 3 significantly outperformed other samples in viability and the chondroinduction of the human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), with a higher GAG production per DNA content. A positive ECM staining for type II collagen was also detected only in cartilage-like structures based on ultrasound-treated DCMps. The biocompatibility of a xenogenic DCMps obtained with Protocol 3 has been confirmed for a 6-month implantation in the thigh muscle tissue of mature rats (n = 18). Overall, the results showed that the porcine cartilage microparticles decellularized by a combination of detergents, ultrasound and DNase could be a promising source of scaffolds for TEMPs for cartilage reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor I Sevastianov
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia.,The Institute of Biomedical Research and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia B Basok
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey M Grigoriev
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeny A Nemets
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra D Kirillova
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - Liudmila A Kirsanova
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksey E Lazhko
- Chemical Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Subbot
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research in Ophtalmology, The Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V Kravchik
- Laboratory of Fundamental Research in Ophtalmology, The Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yusef D Khesuani
- Laboratory for Biotechnological Research "3D Bioprinting Solutions", Moscow, Russia
| | - Elizaveta V Koudan
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey V Gautier
- Department for Biomedical Technologies and Tissue Engineering, The Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia.,The Department of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Faculty of Medicine, The Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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9
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Warren MR, Bajpayee AG. Modeling Electrostatic Charge Shielding Induced by Cationic Drug Carriers in Articular Cartilage Using Donnan Osmotic Theory. Bioelectricity 2022; 4:248-258. [PMID: 36644714 PMCID: PMC9811830 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2021.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Positively charged drug carriers are rapidly emerging as a viable solution for long-standing challenges in delivery to dense, avascular, negatively charged tissues. These cationic carriers have demonstrated especially strong promise in targeting drugs to articular cartilage for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. It is critical to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of their high intratissue uptake levels on charge-shielding of anionic matrix constituents, and the resulting changes in tissue osmotic swelling and mechanical integrity. Materials and Methods We use the ideal Donnan osmotic theory to derive a model for predicting intracartilage swelling pressures as a function of net charge (z) and equilibrium uptake of short-length, arginine-rich, multivalent, cationic peptide carriers (cationic peptide carriers [CPCs], z varied from +8 to +20) in cartilage samples with varying arthritic severities and fixed charge density (FCD). We use this model to determine the dose-dependent influence of CPCs on both physiological osmotic swelling pressures and compressive electrostatic moduli of cartilage in healthy and arthritic states. Results Under physiological conditions, the Donnan model predicted carrier-induced reductions in free swelling pressure between 8 and 29 kPa, and diminished compressive modulus by 20-68 kPa, both dependent on the net charge and uptake of CPCs. The magnitudes of deswelling and stiffness reduction increased monotonically with carrier uptake and net charge. Furthermore, predicted levels of deswelling by CPC charge shielding were amplified in tissues with reduced FCD (which model OA). Finally, the Donnan model predicted markedly higher reductions in tissue compressive modulus in hypotonic bathing salinity compared with physiological and hypertonic conditions. Conclusion This analysis demonstrates the importance of considering charge shielding as a likely adverse effect associated with uptake of cationic drug carriers into negatively charged tissues, especially in the case of damaged tissue. The simple modeling approach and principles described herein can inform the design of cationic drug delivery carriers and their clinical treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Warren
- Department of Bioengineering and Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ambika G. Bajpayee
- Department of Bioengineering and Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Fan M, Wang C, Kwok B, Kahle ER, He L, Lucas Lu X, Mauck RL, Han L. Impacts of aging on murine cartilage biomechanics and chondrocyte in situ calcium signaling. J Biomech 2022; 144:111336. [PMID: 36240656 PMCID: PMC9641638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aging is the most prominent risk factor for osteoarthritis onset, but the etiology of aging-associated cartilage degeneration is not fully understood. Recent studies by Guilak and colleagues have highlighted the crucial roles of cell-matrix interactions in cartilage homeostasis and disease. This study thus quantified aging-associated changes in cartilage biomechanics and chondrocyte intracellular calcium signaling, [Ca2+]i, activities in wild-type mice at 3, 12 and 22 months of age. In aged mice, articular cartilage exhibits reduced staining of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs), indicating decreased aggrecan content. On cartilage surface, collagen fibrils undergo significant thickening while retaining their transverse isotropic architecture, and exhibit signs of fibril crimping in the 22-month group. These compositional and structural changes contribute to a significant decrease in cartilage modulus at 22 months of age (0.55 ± 0.25 MPa, mean ± 95 % CI, n = 8) relative to those at 3 and 12 months (1.82 ± 0.48 MPa and 1.45 ± 0.46 MPa, respectively, n ≥ 8). Despite the decreases in sGAG content and tissue modulus, chondrocytes do not exhibit significantly demoted [Ca2+]i activities in situ, in both physiological (isotonic) and osmotically instigated (hypo- and hypertonic) conditions. At 12 months of age, there exists a sub-population of chondrocytes with hyper-active [Ca2+]i responses under hypotonic stimuli, possibly indicating a phenotypic shift of chondrocytes during aging. Together, these results yield new insights into aging-associated biomechanical and mechanobiological changes of murine cartilage, providing a benchmark for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of age-related changes in cell-matrix interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Fan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Bryan Kwok
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Elizabeth R Kahle
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Lan He
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - X Lucas Lu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Robert L Mauck
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Lin Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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11
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Warren MR, Vedadghavami A, Bhagavatula S, Bajpayee AG. Effects of polycationic drug carriers on the electromechanical and swelling properties of cartilage. Biophys J 2022; 121:3542-3561. [PMID: 35765244 PMCID: PMC9515003 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic nanocarriers offer a promising solution to challenges in delivering drugs to negatively charged connective tissues, such as to articular cartilage for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about the effects that cationic macromolecules may have on the mechanical properties of cartilage at high interstitial concentrations. We utilized arginine-rich cationic peptide carriers (CPCs) with varying net charge (from +8 to +20) to investigate the biophysical mechanisms of nanocarrier-induced alterations to cartilage biomechanical properties. We observed that CPCs increased the compressive modulus of healthy bovine cartilage explants by up to 70% and decreased the stiffness of glycosaminoglycan-depleted tissues (modeling OA) by 69%; in both cases, the magnitude of the change in stiffness correlated with the uptake of CPC charge variants. Next, we directly measured CPC-induced osmotic deswelling in cartilage tissue due to shielding of charge repulsions between anionic extracellular matrix constituents, with magnitudes of reductions between 36 and 64 kPa. We then demonstrated that electrostatic interactions were required for CPC-induced stiffening to occur, evidenced by no observed increase in tissue stiffness when measured in hypertonic bathing salinity. We applied a non-ideal Donnan osmotic model (under triphasic theory) to separate bulk modulus measurements into Donnan and non-Donnan components, which further demonstrated the conflicting charge-shielding and matrix-stiffening effects of CPCs. These results show that cationic drug carriers can alter tissue mechanical properties via multiple mechanisms, including the expected charge shielding as well as a novel stiffening phenomenon mediated by physical linkages. We introduce a model for how the magnitudes of these mechanical changes depend on tunable physical properties of the drug carrier, including net charge, size, and spatial charge distribution. We envision that the results and theory presented herein will inform the design of future cationic drug-delivery systems intended to treat diseases in a wide range of connective tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Warren
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Armin Vedadghavami
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sanjana Bhagavatula
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ambika G Bajpayee
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
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12
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Moo EK, Ebrahimi M, Sibole SC, Tanska P, Korhonen RK. The intrinsic quality of proteoglycans, but not collagen fibres, degrades in osteoarthritic cartilage. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:178-189. [PMID: 36113721 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The function of articular cartilage as a load-bearing connective tissue is derived primarily from a balanced interaction between the swelling proteoglycan (PG) matrix and tension-resistant collagen fibrous network. Such balance is compromised during joint disease such as osteoarthritis (OA) due to degradation to PGs and/or collagens. While the PG degradation is generally thought to be related to a loss of protein abundance, the collagenous degradation is more complex as it can be caused independently by a decrease of collagen content, disorganisation of fibrous structure and softening of individual collagen fibrils. A comprehensive understanding of the initial trajectories of degradation of PGs and collagen network can improve our chance of finding potential therapeutic solutions for OA. Here, we developed geometrically, structurally, and compositionally realistic and sample-specific Finite Element (FE) models under the framework of multiphasic mixture theory, from which the elastic moduli of collagen fibres and the PG load-bearing quality in healthy and diseased cartilages were estimated by numerical optimisation of the multi-step indentation stress relaxation force-time curves. We found the intrinsic quality of collagen fibres, measured by their elastic moduli, to stay constant for healthy and diseased cartilages. Combining with previous findings which show unaltered collagen content during early stages of OA, our results suggest the disorganisation of collagen fibrous network as the first form of collagenous degradation in osteoarthritic cartilage. We also found that PG degradation involves not only a loss of protein abundance, but also the quality of the remaining PGs in generating sufficient osmotic pressure for load bearing. This study sheds light on the mechanism of OA pathogenesis and highlights the restoration of collageneous organisation in cartilage as key medical intervention for OA. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Collagen network in articular cartilage consists of individual fibres that are organised into depth-dependent structure specialised for joint load-bearing and lubrication. During osteoarthritis, the collagen network undergoes mechanical degradation, but it is unclear if a loss of content, disorganisation of fibrous structure, or softening of individual fibres causes this degeneration. Using mechanical indentation, Finite Element modelling, and numerical optimisation methods, we determined that individual fibres did not soften in early disease stage. Together with previous findings showing unaltered collagen content, our results pinpoint the disorganisation of collagen structure as the main culprit for early collagenous degradation in osteoarthritic cartilage. Thus, early restoration in cartilage of collagen organisation, instead of individual fibre quality, may be key to slow osteoarthritis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eng Kuan Moo
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, POB 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland; Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, 2500, University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta 2N1N4, Canada.
| | | | - Scott C Sibole
- Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, 2500, University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta 2N1N4, Canada
| | - Petri Tanska
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, POB 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Rami K Korhonen
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, POB 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland.
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13
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Finnilä MAJ, Das Gupta S, Turunen MJ, Hellberg I, Turkiewicz A, Lutz-Bueno V, Jonsson E, Holler M, Ali N, Hughes V, Isaksson H, Tjörnstrand J, Önnerfjord P, Guizar-Sicairos M, Saarakkala S, Englund M. Mineral Crystal Thickness in Calcified Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in Healthy and Osteoarthritic Human Knees. J Bone Miner Res 2022; 37:1700-1710. [PMID: 35770824 PMCID: PMC9540032 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, where articular cartilage degradation is often accompanied with sclerosis of the subchondral bone. However, the association between OA and tissue mineralization at the nanostructural level is currently not understood. In particular, it is technically challenging to study calcified cartilage, where relevant but poorly understood pathological processes such as tidemark multiplication and advancement occur. Here, we used state-of-the-art microfocus small-angle X-ray scattering with a 5-μm spatial resolution to determine the size and organization of the mineral crystals at the nanostructural level in human subchondral bone and calcified cartilage. Specimens with a wide spectrum of OA severities were acquired from both medial and lateral compartments of medial compartment knee OA patients (n = 15) and cadaver knees (n = 10). Opposing the common notion, we found that calcified cartilage has thicker and more mutually aligned mineral crystals than adjoining bone. In addition, we, for the first time, identified a well-defined layer of calcified cartilage associated with pathological tidemark multiplication, containing 0.32 nm thicker crystals compared to the rest of calcified cartilage. Finally, we found 0.2 nm thicker mineral crystals in both tissues of the lateral compartment in OA compared with healthy knees, indicating a loading-related disease process because the lateral compartment is typically less loaded in medial compartment knee OA. In summary, we report novel changes in mineral crystal thickness during OA. Our data suggest that unloading in the knee might be involved with the growth of mineral crystals, which is especially evident in the calcified cartilage. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko A J Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Shuvashis Das Gupta
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikael J Turunen
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Iida Hellberg
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Aleksandra Turkiewicz
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Elin Jonsson
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mirko Holler
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Neserin Ali
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Velocity Hughes
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hanna Isaksson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jon Tjörnstrand
- Department of Orthopaedics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Patrik Önnerfjord
- Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Simo Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Martin Englund
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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14
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Moo EK, Al-Saffar Y, Le T, A Seerattan R, Pingguan-Murphy B, K Korhonen R, Herzog W. Deformation behaviors and mechanical impairments of tissue cracks in immature and mature cartilages. J Orthop Res 2022; 40:2103-2112. [PMID: 34914129 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Degeneration of articular cartilage is often triggered by a small tissue crack. As cartilage structure and composition change with age, the mechanics of cracked cartilage may depend on the tissue age, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we investigated cartilage mechanics and crack deformation in immature and mature cartilage exposed to a full-thickness tissue crack using indentation testing and histology, respectively. When a cut was introduced, tissue cracks opened wider in the mature cartilage compared to the immature cartilage. However, the opposite occurred upon mechanical indentation over the cracked region. Functionally, the immature-cracked cartilages stress-relaxed faster, experienced increased tissue strain, and had reduced instantaneous stiffness, compared to the mature-cracked cartilages. Taken together, mature cartilage appears to withstand surface cracks and maintains its mechanical properties better than immature cartilage and these superior properties can be explained by the structure of their collagen fibrous network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eng Kuan Moo
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Yasir Al-Saffar
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tina Le
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ruth A Seerattan
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Rami K Korhonen
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Walter Herzog
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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15
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Schuiringa GH, Mihajlovic M, van Donkelaar CC, Vermonden T, Ito K. Creating a Functional Biomimetic Cartilage Implant Using Hydrogels Based on Methacrylated Chondroitin Sulfate and Hyaluronic Acid. Gels 2022; 8:gels8070457. [PMID: 35877542 PMCID: PMC9315485 DOI: 10.3390/gels8070457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The load-bearing function of articular cartilage tissue contrasts with the poor load-bearing capacity of most soft hydrogels used for its regeneration. The present study explores whether a hydrogel based on the methacrylated natural polymers chondroitin sulfate (CSMA) and hyaluronic acid (HAMA), injected into warp-knitted spacer fabrics, could be used to create a biomimetic construct with cartilage-like mechanical properties. The swelling ratio of the combined CSMA/HAMA hydrogels in the first 20 days was higher for hydrogels with a higher CSMA concentration, and these hydrogels also degraded quicker, whereas those with a 1.33 wt% of HAMA were stable for more than 120 days. When confined by a polyamide 6 (PA6) spacer fabric, the volumetric swelling of the combined CSMA/HAMA gels (10 wt%, 6.5 × CSMA:HAMA ratio) was reduced by ~53%. Both the apparent peak and the equilibrium modulus significantly increased in the PA6-restricted constructs compared to the free-swelling hydrogels after 28 days of swelling, and no significant differences in the moduli and time constant compared to native bovine cartilage were observed. Moreover, the cell viability in the CSMA/HAMA PA6 constructs was comparable to that in gelatin–methacrylamide (GelMA) PA6 constructs at one day after polymerization. These results suggest that using a HydroSpacer construct with an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like biopolymer-based hydrogel is a promising approach for mimicking the load-bearing properties of native cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerke H. Schuiringa
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Gem-Z 1.106, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (G.H.S.); (M.M.); (K.I.)
| | - Marko Mihajlovic
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Gem-Z 1.106, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (G.H.S.); (M.M.); (K.I.)
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Science for Life, Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Corrinus C. van Donkelaar
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Gem-Z 1.106, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (G.H.S.); (M.M.); (K.I.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Science for Life, Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Keita Ito
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Gem-Z 1.106, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (G.H.S.); (M.M.); (K.I.)
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16
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Krull CM, Rife J, Klamer B, Purmessur D, Walter BA. Pericellular heparan sulfate proteoglycans: Role in regulating the biosynthetic response of nucleus pulposus cells to osmotic loading. JOR Spine 2022; 5:e1209. [PMID: 35783912 PMCID: PMC9238280 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Daily physiologic loading causes fluctuations in hydration of the intervertebral disc (IVD); thus, the embedded cells experience cyclic alterations to their osmotic environment. These osmotic fluctuations have been described as a mechanism linking mechanics and biology, and have previously been shown to promote biosynthesis in chondrocytes. However, this phenomenon has yet to be fully interrogated in the IVD. Additionally, the specialized extracellular matrix surrounding the cells, the pericellular matrix (PCM), transduces the biophysical signals that cells ultimately experience. While it is known that the PCM is altered in disc degeneration, whether it disrupts normal osmotic mechanotransduction has yet to be determined. Thus, our objectives were to assess: (1) whether dynamic osmotic conditions stimulate biosynthesis in nucleus pulposus cells, and (2) whether pericellular heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) modulate the biosynthetic response to osmotic loading. Methods Bovine nucleus pulposus cells isolated with retained PCM were encapsulated in 1.5% alginate beads and treated with or without heparinase III, an enzyme that degrades the pericellular HSPGs. Beads were subjected to 1 h of daily iso-osmotic, hyper-osmotic, or hypo-osmotic loading for 1, 2, or 4 weeks. At each timepoint the total amount of extracellular and pericellular sGAG/DNA were quantified. Additionally, whether osmotic loading triggered alterations to HSPG sulfation was assessed via immunohistochemistry for the heparan sulfate 6-O-sulfertransferase 1 (HS6ST1) enzyme. Results Osmotic loading significantly influenced sGAG/DNA accumulation with a hyper-osmotic change promoting the greatest sGAG/DNA accumulation in the pericellular region compared with iso-osmotic conditions. Heparanase-III treatment significantly reduced extracellular sGAG/DNA but pericellular sGAG was not affected. HS6ST1 expression was not affected by osmotic loading. Conclusion Results suggest that hyper-osmotic loading promotes matrix synthesis and that modifications to HSPGs directly influence the metabolic responses of cells to osmotic fluctuations. Collectively, results suggest degeneration-associated modifications to pericellular HSPGs may contribute to the altered mechanobiology observed in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly M. Krull
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Jordan Rife
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Brett Klamer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for BiostatisticsThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Devina Purmessur
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbusOhioUSA
- Spine Research InstituteThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Benjamin A. Walter
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbusOhioUSA
- Spine Research InstituteThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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17
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Integrating melt electrowriting and inkjet bioprinting for engineering structurally organized articular cartilage. Biomaterials 2022; 283:121405. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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18
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Dover CM, Goth W, Goodbrake C, Tunnell JW, Sacks MS. Simultaneous Wide-Field Planar Strain-Fiber Orientation Distribution Measurement Using Polarized Spatial Domain Imaging. Ann Biomed Eng 2022; 50:253-277. [PMID: 35084627 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we demonstrate that soft tissue fiber architectural maps captured using polarized spatial frequency domain imaging (pSFDI) can be utilized as an effective texture source for DIC-based planar surface strain analyses. Experimental planar biaxial mechanical studies were conducted using pericardium as the exemplar tissue, with simultaneous pSFDI measurements taken. From these measurements, the collagen fiber preferred direction [Formula: see text] was determined at the pixel level over the entire strain range using established methods ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02233-0 ). We then utilized these pixel-level [Formula: see text] maps as a texture source to quantify the deformation gradient tensor [Formula: see text] as a function of spatial position [Formula: see text] within the specimen at time t. Results indicted that that the pSFDI approach produced accurate deformation maps, as validated using both physical markers and conventional particle based method derived from the DIC analysis of the same specimens. We then extended the pSFDI technique to extract the fiber orientation distribution [Formula: see text] as a function of [Formula: see text] from the pSFDI intensity signal. This was accomplished by developing a calibration procedure to account for the optical behavior of the constituent fibers for the soft tissue being studied. We then demonstrated that the extracted [Formula: see text] was accurately computed in both the referential (i.e. unloaded) and deformed states. Moreover, we noted that the measured [Formula: see text] agreed well with affine kinematic deformation predictions. We also demonstrated this calibration approach could also be effectively used on electrospun biomaterials, underscoring the general utility of the approach. In a final step, using the ability to simultaneously quantify [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we examined the effect of deformation and collagen structural measurements on the measurement region size. For pericardial tissues, we determined a critical length of [Formula: see text] 8 mm wherein the regional variations sufficiently dissipated. This result has immediate potential in the identification of optimal length scales for meso-scale strain measurement in soft tissues and fibrous biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coinneach Mackenzie Dover
- James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation, The Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Will Goth
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Christian Goodbrake
- James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation, The Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - James W Tunnell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Michael S Sacks
- James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation, The Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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19
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Brown ETT, Simons JMLJW, Thambyah A. The ultrastructure of cartilage tissue and its swelling response in relation to matrix health. J Anat 2022; 240:107-119. [PMID: 34333796 PMCID: PMC8655166 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This multi-length scale anatomical study explores the influence of mild cartilage structural degeneration on the tissue swelling response. While the swelling response of cartilage has been studied extensively, this is the first study to reveal and correlate tissue microstructure and ultrastructure, with the swelling induced cartilage tissue strains. Cartilage sample strips (n = 30) were obtained from the distal-lateral quadrant of thirty mildly degenerate bovine patellae and, following excision from the bone, the cartilage strips were allowed to swell freely for 2 h in solutions of physiological saline and distilled water successively. The swelling response of this group of samples were compared with that of healthy cartilage, with (n = 20) and without the surface layer (n = 20). The subsequent curling response of cartilage showed that in healthy tissue it was highly variable, and with the surface removed some samples curved in the opposite direction, while in the mildly degenerate tissue group, virtually all tissue strips curved in a consistent upward manner. A significant difference in strain was observed between healthy samples with surface layer removed and mildly degenerate samples, illustrating how excision of the surface zone from pristine cartilage is insufficient to model the swelling response of tissue which has undergone natural degenerative changes. On average, total tissue thickness increased from 940 µm (healthy) to 1079 µm (mildly degenerate), however, looking at the zonal strata, surface and transition zone thicknesses both decreased while deep zone thickness increased from healthy to mildly degenerate tissue. Morphologically, changes to the surface zone integrity were correlated with a diminished surface layer which, at the ultrastructural scale, correlated with a decreased fibrillar density. Similarly, fibrosity of the general matrix visible at the microscale was associated with a loss of later interconnectivity resulting in large, aggregated fibril bundles. The microstructural and ultrastructural investigation revealed that the key differences influencing the tissue swelling strain response was (1) the thickness and extent of disruption to the surface layer and (2) the amount of fibrillar network destructuring, highlighting the importance of the collagen and tissue matrix structure in restraining cartilage swelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Te Tūmanako Brown
- Department of Chemical and Materials EngineeringUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Joni M. L. J. W. Simons
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics GroupDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Ashvin Thambyah
- Department of Chemical and Materials EngineeringUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
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20
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Reversible changes in the 3D collagen fibril architecture during cyclic loading of healthy and degraded cartilage. Acta Biomater 2021; 136:314-326. [PMID: 34563724 PMCID: PMC8631461 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomechanical changes to the collagen fibrillar architecture in articular cartilage are believed to play a crucial role in enabling normal joint function. However, experimentally there is little quantitative knowledge about the structural response of the Type II collagen fibrils in cartilage to cyclic loading in situ, and the mechanisms that drive the ability of cartilage to withstand long-term repetitive loading. Here we utilize synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) combined with in-situ cyclic loading of bovine articular cartilage explants to measure the fibrillar response in deep zone articular cartilage, in terms of orientation, fibrillar strain and inter-fibrillar variability in healthy cartilage and cartilage degraded by exposure to the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. We demonstrate that under repeated cyclic loading the fibrils reversibly change the width of the fibrillar orientation distribution whilst maintaining a largely consistent average direction of orientation. Specifically, the effect on the fibrillar network is a 3-dimensional conical orientation broadening around the normal to the joint surface, inferred by 3D reconstruction of X-ray scattering peak intensity distributions from the 2D pattern. Further, at the intrafibrillar level, this effect is coupled with reversible reduction in fibrillar pre-strain under compression, alongside increase in the variability of fibrillar pre-strain. In IL-1β degraded cartilage, the collagen rearrangement under cyclic loading is disrupted and associated with reduced tissue stiffness. These finding have implications as to how changes in local collagen nanomechanics might drive disease progression or vice versa in conditions such as osteoarthritis and provides a pathway to a mechanistic understanding of such diseases. Statement of significance Structural deterioration in biomechanically loaded musculoskeletal organs, e.g., joint osteoarthritis and back pain, are linked to breakdown and changes in their collagen-rich cartilaginous tissue matrix. A critical component enabling cartilage biomechanics is the ultrastructural collagen fibrillar network in cartilage. However, experimental probes of the dynamic structural response of cartilage collagen to biomechanical loads are limited. Here, we use X-ray scattering during cyclic loading (as during walking) on joint tissue to show that cartilage fibrils resist loading by a reversible, three-dimensional orientation broadening and disordering mechanism at the molecular level, and that inflammation reduces this functionality. Our results will help understand how changes to small-scale tissue mechanisms are linked to ageing and osteoarthritic progression, and development of biomaterials for joint replacements.
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21
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Statham P, Jones E, Jennings LM, Fermor HL. Reproducing the Biomechanical Environment of the Chondrocyte for Cartilage Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2021; 28:405-420. [PMID: 33726527 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2020.0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that the biomechanical and tribological performance of articular cartilage is inextricably linked to its extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and zonal heterogeneity. Furthermore, it is understood that the presence of native ECM components, such as collagen II and aggrecan, promote healthy homeostasis in the resident chondrocytes. What is less frequently discussed is how chondrocyte metabolism is related to the extracellular mechanical environment, at both the macro and microscale. The chondrocyte is in immediate contact with the pericellular matrix of the chondron, which acts as a mechanocoupler, transmitting external applied loads from the ECM to the chondrocyte. Therefore, components of the pericellular matrix also play essential roles in chondrocyte mechanotransduction and metabolism. Recreating the biomechanical environment through tuning material properties of a scaffold and/or the use of external cyclic loading can induce biosynthetic responses in chondrocytes. Decellularized scaffolds, which retain the native tissue macro- and microstructure also represent an effective means of recapitulating such an environment. The use of such techniques in tissue engineering applications can ensure the regeneration of skeletally mature articular cartilage with appropriate biomechanical and tribological properties to restore joint function. Despite the pivotal role in graft maturation and performance, biomechanical and tribological properties of such interventions is often underrepresented. This review outlines the role of biomechanics in relation to native cartilage performance and chondrocyte metabolism, and how application of this theory can enhance the future development and successful translation of biomechanically relevant tissue engineering interventions. Impact statement Physiological cartilage function is a key criterion in the success of a cartilage tissue engineering solution. The in situ performance is dependent on the initial scaffold design as well as extracellular matrix deposition by endogenous or exogenous cells. Both biological and biomechanical stimuli serve as key regulators of cartilage homeostasis and maturation of the resulting tissue-engineered graft. An improved understanding of the influence of biomechanics on cellular function and consideration of the final biomechanical and tribological performance will help in the successful development and translation of tissue-engineered grafts to restore natural joint function postcartilage trauma or osteoarthritic degeneration, delaying the requirement for prosthetic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Statham
- Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Jones
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Louise M Jennings
- Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Hazel L Fermor
- Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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22
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Mousavi MS, Amoabediny G, Mahfouzi SH, Safiabadi Tali SH. Enhanced articular cartilage decellularization using a novel perfusion-based bioreactor method. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 119:104511. [PMID: 33915440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Current decellularization methods for articular cartilages require many steps, various and high amounts of detergents, and a relatively long time to produce decellularized scaffolds. In addition, such methods often damage the essential components and the structure of the tissue. This study aims to introduce a novel perfusion-based bioreactor (PBB) method to decellularize bovine articular cartilages efficiently while reducing the harmful physical and chemical steps as well as the duration of the process. This leads to better preservation of the structure and the essential components of the native tissue. Firstly, a certain number of channels (Ø 180 μm) were introduced into both sides of cylindrical articular bovine cartilage disks (5 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness). Next, the disks were decellularized in the PBB and a shaker as the control. Using the PBB method resulted in ∼90% reduction of DNA content in the specimens, which was significantly higher than those of the shaker results with ∼60%. Also, ∼50% sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content and ∼92% of the compression properties were maintained implying the efficient preservation of the structure and components of the scaffolds. Moreover, the current study indicated that the PBB specimens supported the adherence and proliferation of the new cells effectively. In conclusion, the results show that the use of PBB method increases the efficiency of producing decellularized cartilage scaffolds with a better maintenance of essential components and structure, while reducing the chemicals and steps required for the process. This will pave the way for producing close-to-natural scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Sadat Mousavi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghassem Amoabediny
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Hossein Mahfouzi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hamid Safiabadi Tali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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23
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Zimmerman BK, Nims RJ, Chen A, Hung CT, Ateshian GA. Direct Osmotic Pressure Measurements in Articular Cartilage Demonstrate Nonideal and Concentration-Dependent Phenomena. J Biomech Eng 2021; 143:041007. [PMID: 33210125 PMCID: PMC7872001 DOI: 10.1115/1.4049158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The osmotic pressure in articular cartilage serves an important mechanical function in healthy tissue. Its magnitude is thought to play a role in advancing osteoarthritis. The aims of this study were to: (1) isolate and quantify the magnitude of cartilage swelling pressure in situ; and (2) identify the effect of salt concentration on material parameters. Confined compression stress-relaxation testing was performed on 18 immature bovine and six mature human cartilage samples in solutions of varying osmolarities. Direct measurements of osmotic pressure revealed nonideal and concentration-dependent osmotic behavior, with magnitudes approximately 1/3 those predicted by ideal Donnan law. A modified Donnan constitutive behavior was able to capture the aggregate behavior of all samples with a single adjustable parameter. Results of curve-fitting transient stress-relaxation data with triphasic theory in febio demonstrated concentration-dependent material properties. The aggregate modulus HA increased threefold as the external concentration decreased from hypertonic 2 M to hypotonic 0.001 M NaCl (bovine: HA=0.420±0.109 MPa to 1.266±0.438 MPa; human: HA=0.499±0.208 MPa to 1.597±0.455 MPa), within a triphasic theory inclusive of osmotic effects. This study provides a novel and simple analytical model for cartilage osmotic pressure which may be used in computational simulations, validated with direct in situ measurements. A key finding is the simultaneous existence of Donnan osmotic and Poisson-Boltzmann electrostatic interactions within cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K Zimmerman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Robert J Nims
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Alex Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Clark T Hung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Gerard A Ateshian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
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24
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Grondin MM, Liu F, Vignos MF, Samsonov A, Li WJ, Kijowski R, Henak CR. Bi-component T2 mapping correlates with articular cartilage material properties. J Biomech 2020; 116:110215. [PMID: 33482593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive estimation of cartilage material properties is useful for understanding cartilage health and creating subject-specific computational models. Bi-component T2 mapping measured using Multi-Component Driven Equilibrium Single Shot Observation of T1 and T2 (mcDESPOT) is sensitive for detecting cartilage degeneration within the human knee joint, but has not been correlated with cartilage composition and mechanical properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between bi-component T2 parameters measured using mcDESPOT at 3.0 T and cartilage composition and mechanical properties. Ex-vivo patellar cartilage specimens harvested from five human cadaveric knees were imaged using mcDESPOT at 3.0 T. Cartilage samples were removed from the patellae, mechanically tested to determine linear modulus and dissipated energy, and chemically tested to determine proteoglycan and collagen content. Parameter maps of single-component T2 relaxation time (T2), the T2 relaxation times of the fast relaxing macromolecular bound water component (T2F) and slow relaxing bulk water component (T2S), and the fraction of the fast relaxing macromolecular bound water component (FF) were compared to mechanical and chemical measures using linear regression. FF was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with energy dissipation and linear modulus. T2 was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with elastic modulus at 1 Hz and energy dissipated at all frequencies. There were no other significant (p = 0.13-0.97) correlations between mcDESPOT parameters and mechanical properties. FF was significantly (p = 0.04) correlated with proteoglycan content. There were no other significant (p = 0.19-0.92) correlations between mcDESPOT parameters and proteoglycan or collagen content. This study suggests that FF measured using mcDESPOT at 3.0 T could be used to non-invasively estimate cartilage proteoglycan content, elastic modulus, and energy dissipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Grondin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael F Vignos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alexey Samsonov
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Wan-Ju Li
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Richard Kijowski
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Corinne R Henak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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25
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Bhattarai A, Pouran B, Mäkelä JTA, Shaikh R, Honkanen MKM, Prakash M, Kröger H, Grinstaff MW, Weinans H, Jurvelin JS, Töyräs J. Dual contrast in computed tomography allows earlier characterization of articular cartilage over single contrast. J Orthop Res 2020; 38:2230-2238. [PMID: 32525582 DOI: 10.1002/jor.24774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cationic computed tomography contrast agents are more sensitive for detecting cartilage degeneration than anionic or non-ionic agents. However, osteoarthritis-related loss of proteoglycans and increase in water content contrarily affect the diffusion of cationic contrast agents, limiting their sensitivity. The quantitative dual-energy computed tomography technique allows the simultaneous determination of the partitions of iodine-based cationic (CA4+) and gadolinium-based non-ionic (gadoteridol) agents in cartilage at diffusion equilibrium. Normalizing the cationic agent partition at diffusion equilibrium with that of the non-ionic agent improves diagnostic sensitivity. We hypothesize that this sensitivity improvement is also prominent during early diffusion time points and that the technique is applicable during contrast agent diffusion. To investigate the validity of this hypothesis, osteochondral plugs (d = 8 mm, N = 33), extracted from human cadaver (n = 4) knee joints, were immersed in a contrast agent bath (a mixture of CA4+ and gadoteridol) and imaged using the technique at multiple time points until diffusion equilibrium. Biomechanical testing and histological analysis were conducted for reference. Quantitative dual-energy computed tomography technique enabled earlier determination of cartilage proteoglycan content over single contrast. The correlation coefficient between human articular cartilage proteoglycan content and CA4+ partition increased with the contrast agent diffusion time. Gadoteridol normalized CA4+ partition correlated significantly (P < .05) with Mankin score at all time points and with proteoglycan content after 4 hours. The technique is applicable during diffusion, and normalization with gadoteridol partition improves the sensitivity of the CA4+ contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhisek Bhattarai
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Behdad Pouran
- Department of Orthopaedic, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janne T A Mäkelä
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rubina Shaikh
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Miitu K M Honkanen
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mithilesh Prakash
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heikki Kröger
- Department of Orthopedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Harrie Weinans
- Department of Orthopaedic, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Delft, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jukka S Jurvelin
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Töyräs
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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26
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Krull CM, Lutton AD, Olesik JW, Walter BA. A method for measuring intra-tissue swelling pressure using a needle micro-osmometer. Eur Cell Mater 2020; 40:146-159. [PMID: 32981028 PMCID: PMC8653509 DOI: 10.22203/ecm.v040a09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The intervertebral disc's ability to resist load and facilitate motion arises largely from osmotic swelling pressures that develop within the tissue. Changes in the disc's osmotic environment, diurnally and with disease, have been suggested to regulate cellular activity, yet knowledge of in vivo osmotic environments is limited. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to demonstrate proof-of-concept for a method to measure intra-tissue swelling pressure and osmolality, modeling micro-osmometer fluid flux using Darcy's law. The second objective was to compare flux-based measurements of the swelling pressure within nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue against ionic swelling pressures predicted by Gibbs-Donnan theory. Pressures (0.03- 0.57 MPa) were applied to NP tissue (n = 25) using equilibrium dialysis, and intra-tissue swelling pressures were measured using flux. Ionic swelling pressures were determined from inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry measurements of intra-tissue sodium using Gibbs-Donnan calculations of fixed charge density and intra-tissue chloride. Concordance of 0.93 was observed between applied pressures and flux- based measurements of swelling pressure. Equilibrium bounds for effective tissue osmolalities engendered by a simulated diurnal loading cycle (0.2-0.6 MPa) were 376 and 522 mOsm/kg H2O. Significant differences between flux and Gibbs-Donnan measures of swelling pressure indicated that total tissue water normalization and non-ionic contributions to swelling pressure were significant, which suggested that standard constitutive models may underestimate intra-tissue swelling pressure. Overall, this micro-osmometer technique may facilitate future validations for constitutive models and measurements of variation in the diurnal osmotic cycle, which may inform studies to identify diurnal- and disease-associated changes in mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - B A Walter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Mars G. Fontana Laboratories, 140 W. 19th Ave, Room 3155, Columbus, OH 43210,
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27
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Lee D, Hong KT, Lim TS, Lee E, Lee YH, Park JS, Kim W, Oh JH, Choi JA, Song Y. Alterations in articular cartilage T2 star relaxation time following mechanical disorders: in vivo canine supraspinatus tendon resection models. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020; 21:424. [PMID: 32615950 PMCID: PMC7331159 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-03447-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of altered joint mechanics on cartilage degeneration in in vivo models has not been studied successfully due to a lack of pre-injury information. We aimed 1) to develop an accurate in vivo canine model to measure the changes in joint loading and T2 star (T2*) relaxation time before and after unilateral supraspinatus tendon resections, and 2) to find the relationship between regional variations in articular cartilage loading patterns and T2* relaxation time distributions. Methods Rigid markers were implanted in the scapula and humerus of tested dogs. The movement of the shoulder bones were measured by a motion tracking system during normal gaits. In vivo cartilage contact strain was measured by aligning 3D shoulder models with the motion tracking data. Articular cartilage T2* relaxation times were measured by quantitative MRI scans. Articular cartilage contact strain and T2* relaxation time were compared in the shoulders before and 3 months after the supraspinatus tendon resections. Results Excellent accuracy and reproducibility were found in our in vivo contact strain measurements with less than 1% errors. Changes in articular cartilage contact strain exhibited similar patterns with the changes in the T2* relaxation time after resection surgeries. Regional changes in the articular cartilage T2* relaxation time exhibited positive correlations with regional contact strain variations 3 months after the supraspinatus resection surgeries. Conclusion This is the first study to measure in vivo articular cartilage contact strains with high accuracy and reproducibility. Positive correlations between contact strain and T2* relaxation time suggest that the articular cartilage extracellular matrix may responds to mechanical changes in local areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokwan Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University Engineering Campus, Innovation Hall, Room 306, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Ki-Taek Hong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University Engineering Campus, Innovation Hall, Room 306, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Tae Seong Lim
- Department of Radiology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Eugene Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Ye Hyun Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Police Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Soon Park
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Woo Kim
- Seoul Kiwoonchan Orthopedics Clinic, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joo Han Oh
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Jung-Ah Choi
- Department of Radiology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, South Korea
| | - Yongnam Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University Engineering Campus, Innovation Hall, Room 306, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea.
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28
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Mahmood MF, Clarke MJ, Riches DP. Proteoglycans exert a significant effect on human meniscal stiffness through ionic effects. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2020; 77:105028. [PMID: 32422472 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2020.105028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteoglycans contribute to mechanical stiffness in articular cartilage, aiding load transmission. The magnitude of the ionic contribution of proteoglycans to the stiffness of human meniscal tissue has not been established. METHODS Thirty-six discs of human meniscal tissue were placed within a custom confined compression chamber and bathed in three solutions of increasing ionic concentration. Following a 0.3 N preload, at equilibrium, a 10% ramp compressive strain was followed by a 7200 s hold phase. A nonlinear poroviscoelastic model with strain dependent permeability was fitted to resultant stress relaxation curves. All samples were assayed for proteoglycan content. Model parameters were analysed using multivariate analysis of variance whilst proteoglycan content was compared using a univariate analysis of variance model. FINDINGS A significant difference (p < .05) was observed in the value of the Young's modulus (E) between samples tested in deionised water compared to those tested in solutions of high ionic concentration. No differences were observed in the zero-strain permeability or the exponential strain dependent stiffening coefficient. Proteoglycan content was not found to differ with solution; but was found to be significantly increased in the middle meniscal region of both menisci. INTERPRETATION Proteoglycans make a significant ionic contribution to mechanical stiffness of the meniscus, increasing it by 58% in the physiological condition. It is therefore critical that meniscal regeneration strategies attempt to recreate the function of proteoglycans to ensure normal meniscal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mr Fahd Mahmood
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wolfson Centre, University of Strathclyde, 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Agamemnon Street, Clydebank G81 4DY, UK.
| | - Mr Jon Clarke
- Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Agamemnon Street, Clydebank G81 4DY, UK
| | - Dr Philip Riches
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wolfson Centre, University of Strathclyde, 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
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29
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Schipani R, Scheurer S, Florentin R, Critchley SE, Kelly DJ. Reinforcing interpenetrating network hydrogels with 3D printed polymer networks to engineer cartilage mimetic composites. Biofabrication 2020; 12:035011. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab8708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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30
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A biphasic visco-hyperelastic damage model for articular cartilage: application to micromechanical modelling of the osteoarthritis-induced degradation behaviour. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2019; 19:1055-1077. [DOI: 10.1007/s10237-019-01270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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31
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Decellularization of the Porcine Ear Generates a Biocompatible, Nonimmunogenic Extracellular Matrix Platform for Face Subunit Bioengineering. Ann Surg 2019; 267:1191-1201. [PMID: 28252516 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess whether perfusion-decellularization technology could be applied to facial grafts. BACKGROUND Facial allotransplantation remains an experimental procedure. Regenerative medicine techniques allow fabrication of transplantable organs from an individual's own cells, which are seeded into extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds from animal or human organs. Therefore, we hypothesized that ECM scaffolds also can be created from facial subunits. We explored the use of the porcine ear as a clinically relevant face subunit model to develop regenerative medicine-related platforms for facial bioengineering. METHODS Porcine ear grafts were decellularized and histologic, immunologic, and cell culture studies done to determine whether scaffolds retained their 3D framework and molecular content; were biocompatible in vitro and in vivo, and triggered an anti-MHC immune response from the host. RESULTS The cellular compartment of the porcine ear was completely removed except for a few cartilaginous cells, leaving behind an acellular ECM scaffold; this scaffold retained its complex 3D architecture and biochemical components. The framework of the vascular tree was intact at all hierarchical levels and sustained a physiologically relevant blood pressure when implanted in vivo. Scaffolds were biocompatible in vitro and in vivo, and elicited no MHC immune response from the host. Cells from different types remained viable and could even differentiate at the scale of a whole-ear scaffold. CONCLUSIONS Acellular scaffolds were produced from the porcine ear, and may be a valuable platform to treat facial deformities using regenerative medicine approaches.
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32
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Mahmood F, Clarke J, Riches P. The ionic contribution of proteoglycans to mechanical stiffness of the meniscus. Med Eng Phys 2018; 64:23-27. [PMID: 30594414 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Load transmission is an important function of the meniscus. In articular cartilage, proteoglycans help maintain hydration via negatively charged moieties. We aimed to investigate the influence of electrostatic effects on stiffness of meniscal tissue. Circular discs from bovine menisci of 8 mm diameter and 5 mm thickness were placed within a confined compression chamber. The apparatus was bathed in distilled water, 0.14 M PBS or 3 M PBS before being subjected to 5% ramp compressive strain and held for 300s. FEBio software was used to fit resultant relaxation curves to a non-linear poroviscoelastic model with strain dependent Holmes-Mow permeability. Analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analysis. 10 samples were tested in each solution. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the values for Young's modulus, zero strain dependent permeability and the viscoelastic coefficient for samples tested in 3 M PBS as compared to deionised water/0.14 M PBS. No significant differences were observed in the strain dependent/stiffening coefficients or the relaxation time. Approximately 79% of the stiffness of the meniscus appears attributable to ionic effects. Ionic effects play a significant role in the mechanical stiffness of the meniscus. It is important to include the influence of ionic effects when developing mathematical models of this tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahd Mahmood
- Biomedical Engineering Unit, Wolfson Building, University of Strathclyde, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow, G4 0NW, UK; Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Agamemnon Street, Clydebank, G81 4DY, UK.
| | - Jon Clarke
- Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Agamemnon Street, Clydebank, G81 4DY, UK
| | - Philip Riches
- Biomedical Engineering Unit, Wolfson Building, University of Strathclyde, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow, G4 0NW, UK
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33
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Stuckensen K, Schwab A, Knauer M, Muiños-López E, Ehlicke F, Reboredo J, Granero-Moltó F, Gbureck U, Prósper F, Walles H, Groll J. Tissue Mimicry in Morphology and Composition Promotes Hierarchical Matrix Remodeling of Invading Stem Cells in Osteochondral and Meniscus Scaffolds. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1706754. [PMID: 29847704 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201706754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An integral approach toward in situ tissue engineering through scaffolds that mimic tissue with regard to both tissue architecture and biochemical composition is presented. Monolithic osteochondral and meniscus scaffolds are prepared with tissue analog layered biochemical composition and perpendicularly oriented continuous micropores by a newly developed cryostructuring technology. These scaffolds enable rapid cell ingrowth and induce zonal-specific matrix synthesis of human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells solely through their design without the need for supplementation of soluble factors such as growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Stuckensen
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer institute (BPI), University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Schwab
- Department Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Knauer
- Department Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Emma Muiños-López
- Experimental Orthopaedics Laboratory and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Franziska Ehlicke
- Department Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jenny Reboredo
- Department Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Froilán Granero-Moltó
- Experimental Orthopaedics Laboratory and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Uwe Gbureck
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer institute (BPI), University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Experimental Orthopaedics Laboratory and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Heike Walles
- Department Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies, ISC, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Groll
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer institute (BPI), University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, D-97070, Würzburg, Germany
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34
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Xue SL, Lin SZ, Li B, Feng XQ. A nonlinear poroelastic theory of solid tumors with glycosaminoglycan swelling. J Theor Biol 2017; 433:49-56. [PMID: 28859927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mechanics plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and therapeutics of tumors. In this paper, a nonlinear poroelastic theory is established to describe the mechanical behaviors of solid tumors. The free-swollen state of a tumor is chosen as the reference state, which enables us to avoid pursuing a dry and stress-free state that is hard to achieve for living tissues. Our results reveal that the compression resistance of a tumor is primarily attributed to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) swelling, and the compactness of cell aggregates is found to affect tumor consolidation. Over-expressed GAGs and dense cell aggregates can stiffen the tumor, a remodeling mechanism that makes the tumor with higher elastic modulus than its surrounding host tissues. Glycosaminoglycan chains also influence the transient mechanical response of the tumor by modulating the tissue permeability. The theoretical results show good agreement with relevant experimental observations. This study may not only deepen our understanding of tumorigenesis but also provide cues for developing novel anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Lei Xue
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China
| | - Shao-Zhen Lin
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China
| | - Bo Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China.
| | - Xi-Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China.
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Suki B, Hu Y, Murata N, Imsirovic J, Mondoñedo JR, de Oliveira CLN, Schaible N, Allen PG, Krishnan R, Bartolák-Suki E. A microfluidic chamber-based approach to map the shear moduli of vascular cells and other soft materials. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2305. [PMID: 28536424 PMCID: PMC5442161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02659-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in quantifying vascular cell and tissue stiffness. Most measurement approaches, however, are incapable of assessing stiffness in the presence of physiological flows. We developed a microfluidic approach which allows measurement of shear modulus (G) during flow. The design included a chamber with glass windows allowing imaging with upright or inverted microscopes. Flow was controlled gravitationally to push culture media through the chamber. Fluorescent beads were conjugated to the sample surface and imaged before and during flow. Bead displacements were calculated from images and G was computed as the ratio of imposed shear stress to measured shear strain. Fluid-structure simulations showed that shear stress on the surface did not depend on sample stiffness. Our approach was verified by measuring the moduli of polyacrylamide gels of known stiffness. In human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, G was 20.4 ± 12 Pa and decreased by 20% and 22% with increasing shear stress and inhibition of non-muscle myosin II motors, respectively. The G showed a larger intra- than inter-cellular variability and it was mostly determined by the cytosol. Our shear modulus microscopy can thus map the spatial distribution of G of soft materials including gels, cells and tissues while allowing the visualization of microscopic structures such as the cytoskeleleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béla Suki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Yingying Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Naohiko Murata
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jasmin Imsirovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jarred R Mondoñedo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Niccole Schaible
- Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Philip G Allen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Krishnan
- Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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36
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Nims RJ, Cigan AD, Durney KM, Jones BK, O'Neill JD, Law WSA, Vunjak-Novakovic G, Hung CT, Ateshian GA. * Constrained Cage Culture Improves Engineered Cartilage Functional Properties by Enhancing Collagen Network Stability. Tissue Eng Part A 2017; 23:847-858. [PMID: 28193145 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2016.0467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
When cultured with sufficient nutrient supply, engineered cartilage synthesizes proteoglycans rapidly, producing an osmotic swelling pressure that destabilizes immature collagen and prevents the development of a robust collagen framework, a hallmark of native cartilage. We hypothesized that mechanically constraining the proteoglycan-induced tissue swelling would enhance construct functional properties through the development of a more stable collagen framework. To test this hypothesis, we developed a novel "cage" growth system to mechanically prevent tissue constructs from swelling while ensuring adequate nutrient supply to the growing construct. The effectiveness of constrained culture was examined by testing constructs embedded within two different scaffolds: agarose and cartilage-derived matrix hydrogel (CDMH). Constructs were seeded with immature bovine chondrocytes and cultured under free swelling (FS) conditions for 14 days with transforming growth factor-β before being placed into a constraining cage for the remainder of culture. Controls were cultured under FS conditions throughout. Agarose constructs cultured in cages did not expand after the day 14 caging while FS constructs expanded to 8 × their day 0 weight after 112 days of culture. In addition to the physical differences in growth, by day 56, caged constructs had higher equilibrium (agarose: 639 ± 179 kPa and CDMH: 608 ± 257 kPa) and dynamic compressive moduli (agarose: 3.4 ± 1.0 MPa and CDMH 2.8 ± 1.0 MPa) than FS constructs (agarose: 193 ± 74 kPa and 1.1 ± 0.5 MPa and CDMH: 317 ± 93 kPa and 1.8 ± 1.0 MPa for equilibrium and dynamic properties, respectively). Interestingly, when normalized to final day wet weight, cage and FS constructs did not exhibit differences in proteoglycan or collagen content. However, caged culture enhanced collagen maturation through the increased formation of pyridinoline crosslinks and improved collagen matrix stability as measured by α-chymotrypsin solubility. These findings demonstrate that physically constrained culture of engineered cartilage constructs improves functional properties through improved collagen network maturity and stability. We anticipate that constrained culture may benefit other reported engineered cartilage systems that exhibit a mismatch in proteoglycan and collagen synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Nims
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Alexander D Cigan
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Krista M Durney
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Brian K Jones
- 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - John D O'Neill
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Wing-Sum A Law
- 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York.,3 Department of Medicine, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Clark T Hung
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Gerard A Ateshian
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York.,2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
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37
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Offeddu GS, Mela I, Jeggle P, Henderson RM, Smoukov SK, Oyen ML. Cartilage-like electrostatic stiffening of responsive cryogel scaffolds. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42948. [PMID: 28230077 PMCID: PMC5322396 DOI: 10.1038/srep42948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cartilage is a structural tissue with unique mechanical properties deriving from its electrically-charged porous structure. Traditional three-dimensional environments for the culture of cells fail to display the complex physical response displayed by the natural tissue. In this work, the reproduction of the charged environment found in cartilage is achieved using polyelectrolyte hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylic acid. The mechanical response and morphology of microporous physically-crosslinked cryogels are compared to those of heat-treated chemical gels made from the same polymers, as a result of pH-dependent swelling. In contrast to the heat-treated chemically-crosslinked gels, the elastic modulus of the physical cryogels was found to increase with charge activation and swelling, explained by the occurrence of electrostatic stiffening of the polymer chains at large charge densities. At the same time, the permeability of both materials to fluid flow was impaired by the presence of electric charges. This cartilage-like mechanical behavior displayed by responsive cryogels can be reproduced in other polyelectrolyte hydrogel systems to fabricate biomimetic cellular scaffolds for the repair of the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. S. Offeddu
- Nanoscience Centre, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FF, UK
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - I. Mela
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - P. Jeggle
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - R. M. Henderson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - S. K. Smoukov
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
| | - M. L. Oyen
- Nanoscience Centre, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FF, UK
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38
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Gao X, Zhu Q, Gu W. Prediction of glycosaminoglycan synthesis in intervertebral disc under mechanical loading. J Biomech 2016; 49:2655-2661. [PMID: 27288332 PMCID: PMC5056134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The loss of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content is a major biochemical change during intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Abnormal mechanical loading is one of the major factors causing disc degeneration. In this study, a multiscale mathematical model was developed to quantify the effect of mechanical loading on GAG synthesis. This model was based on a recently developed cell volume dependent GAG synthesis theory that predicts the variation of GAG synthesis rate of a cell under the influence of mechanical stimuli, and the biphasic theory that describes the deformation of IVD under mechanical loading. The GAG synthesis (at the cell level) was coupled with the mechanical loading (at the tissue level) via a cell-matrix unit approach which established a relationship between the variation of cell dilatation and the local tissue dilatation. This multiscale mathematical model was used to predict the effect of static load (creep load) on GAG synthesis in bovine tail discs. The predicted results are in the range of experimental results. This model was also used to investigate the effect of static (0.2MPa) and diurnal loads (0.1/0.3MPa and 0.15/0.25MPa in 12/12 hours shift with an average of 0.2MPa over a cycle) on GAG synthesis. It was found that static load and diurnal loads have different effects on GAG synthesis in a diurnal cycle, and the diurnal load effects depend on the amplitude of the load. The model is important to understand the effect of mechanical loading at the tissue level on GAG synthesis at the cellular level, as well as to optimize the mechanical loading in growing engineered tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Qiaoqiao Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Weiyong Gu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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39
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Cigan AD, Durney KM, Nims RJ, Vunjak-Novakovic G, Hung CT, Ateshian GA. Nutrient Channels Aid the Growth of Articular Surface-Sized Engineered Cartilage Constructs. Tissue Eng Part A 2016; 22:1063-74. [PMID: 27481330 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2016.0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Symptomatic osteoarthritic lesions span large regions of joint surfaces and the ability to engineer cartilage constructs at clinically relevant sizes would be highly desirable. We previously demonstrated that nutrient transport limitations can be mitigated by the introduction of channels in 10 mm diameter cartilage constructs. In this study, we scaled up our previous system to cast and cultivate 40 mm diameter constructs (2.3 mm overall thickness); 4 mm diameter and channeled 10 mm diameter constructs were studied for comparison. Furthermore, to assess whether prior results using primary bovine cells are applicable for passaged cells-a more clinically realistic scenario-we cast constructs of each size with primary or twice-passaged cells. Constructs were assessed mechanically for equilibrium compressive Young's modulus (EY), dynamic modulus at 0.01 Hz (G*), and friction coefficient (μ); they were also assessed biochemically, histologically, and immunohistochemically for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen contents. By maintaining open channels, we successfully cultured robust constructs the size of entire human articular cartilage layers (growing to ∼52 mm in diameter, 4 mm thick, mass of 8 g by day 56), representing a 100-fold increase in scale over our 4 mm diameter constructs, without compromising their functional properties. Large constructs reached EY of up to 623 kPa and GAG contents up to 8.9%/ww (% of wet weight), both within native cartilage ranges, had G* >2 MPa, and up to 3.5%/ww collagen. Constructs also exhibited some of the lowest μ reported for engineered cartilage (0.06-0.11). Passaged cells produced tissue of lower quality, but still exhibited native EY and GAG content, similar to their smaller controls. The constructs produced in this study are, to our knowledge, the largest engineered cartilage constructs to date which possess native EY and GAG, and are a testament to the effectiveness of nutrient channels in overcoming transport limitations in cartilage tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Cigan
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Krista M Durney
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Robert J Nims
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
- 2 Department of Medicine, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Clark T Hung
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Gerard A Ateshian
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
- 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
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40
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Cigan AD, Nims RJ, Vunjak-Novakovic G, Hung CT, Ateshian GA. Optimizing nutrient channel spacing and revisiting TGF-beta in large engineered cartilage constructs. J Biomech 2016; 49:2089-2094. [PMID: 27255605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising approach to treat osteoarthritis. However, current techniques produce tissues too small for clinical relevance. Increasingly close-packed channels have helped overcome nutrient transport limitations in centimeter-sized chondrocyte-agarose constructs, yet optimal channel spacings to recapitulate native cartilage compositional and mechanical properties in constructs this large have not been identified. Transient active TGF-β treatment consistently reproduces native compressive Young׳s modulus (EY) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in constructs, but standard dosages of 10ng/mL exacerbate matrix heterogeneity. To ultimately produce articular layer-sized constructs, we must first optimize channel spacing and investigate the role of TGF-β in the utility of channels. We cultured ∅10mm constructs with 0, 12, 19, or 27 nutrient channels (∅1mm) for 6-8 weeks with 0, 1, or 10ng/mL TGF-β; subsequently we analyzed them mechanically, biochemically, and histologically. Constructs with 12 or 19 channels grew the most favorably, reaching EY=344±113kPa and GAG and collagen contents of 10.8±1.2% and 2.2±0.2% of construct wet weight, respectively. Constructs with 27 channels had significantly less deposited GAG than other groups. Channeled constructs given 1 or 10ng/mL TGF-β developed similar properties. Without TGF-β, constructs with 0 or 12 channels exhibited properties that were indistinguishable, and lower than TGF-β-supplemented constructs. Taken together, these results emphasize that nutrient channels are effective only in the presence of TGF-β, and indicate that spacings equivalent to 12 channels in ∅10mm constructs can be employed in articular-layer-sized constructs with reduced dosages of TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Cigan
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Robert J Nims
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Clark T Hung
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Gerard A Ateshian
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States.
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41
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Han WM, Heo SJ, Driscoll TP, Delucca JF, McLeod CM, Smith LJ, Duncan RL, Mauck RL, Elliott DM. Microstructural heterogeneity directs micromechanics and mechanobiology in native and engineered fibrocartilage. NATURE MATERIALS 2016; 15:477-84. [PMID: 26726994 PMCID: PMC4805445 DOI: 10.1038/nmat4520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Treatment strategies to address pathologies of fibrocartilaginous tissue are in part limited by an incomplete understanding of structure-function relationships in these load-bearing tissues. There is therefore a pressing need to develop micro-engineered tissue platforms that can recreate the highly inhomogeneous tissue microstructures that are known to influence mechanotransductive processes in normal and diseased tissue. Here, we report the quantification of proteoglycan-rich microdomains in developing, ageing and diseased fibrocartilaginous tissues, and the impact of these microdomains on endogenous cell responses to physiologic deformation within a native-tissue context. We also developed a method to generate heterogeneous tissue-engineered constructs (hetTECs) with non-fibrous proteoglycan-rich microdomains engineered into the fibrous structure, and show that these hetTECs match the microstructural, micromechanical and mechanobiological benchmarks of native tissue. Our tissue-engineered platform should facilitate the study of the mechanobiology of developing, homeostatic, degenerating and regenerating fibrous tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojin M Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Su-Jin Heo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Tristan P Driscoll
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - John F Delucca
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware
| | - Claire M McLeod
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Lachlan J Smith
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Randall L Duncan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
| | - Robert L Mauck
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Addresses for Correspondence: Dawn M. Elliott, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 161 Colburn Laboratory, Newark, DE 19716, Phone: (302) 831-4578, . Robert L. Mauck, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, Director, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 36 Street and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Phone: (215) 898-3294,
| | - Dawn M Elliott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware
- Addresses for Correspondence: Dawn M. Elliott, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 161 Colburn Laboratory, Newark, DE 19716, Phone: (302) 831-4578, . Robert L. Mauck, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, Director, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 36 Street and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Phone: (215) 898-3294,
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42
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Luo L, Chu JYJ, Eswaramoorthy R, Mulhall KJ, Kelly DJ. Engineering Tissues That Mimic the Zonal Nature of Articular Cartilage Using Decellularized Cartilage Explants Seeded with Adult Stem Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2016; 3:1933-1943. [PMID: 33440551 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Articular cartilage (AC) possesses uniquely complex mechanical properties; for example its stiffness increases with depth through the tissue and it softens when compressed. These properties are integral to the function of AC and can be attributed to the tissue's collagen network and how it interacts with negatively charged proteoglycans. In this study, scaffolds containing arrays of channels were produced from decellularized AC explants derived from skeletally immature and mature pigs. These scaffolds were then repopulated with human infrapatellar fat pad derived stem cells (FPSCs). After 4 weeks in culture, FPSCs filled channels within the decellularized explants with a matrix rich in proteoglycans and collagen. Cellular and neo-matrix alignment within these scaffolds appeared to be influenced by the underlying collagen architecture of the decellularized cartilage. Repopulating scaffolds derived from decellularized skeletally mature cartilage with FPSCs led to the development of engineered cartilage with depth-dependent mechanical properties mimicking aspects of native tissue. Furthermore, these constructs displayed the characteristic strain softening behavior of AC. These findings highlight the importance of the collagen network to engineering mechanically functional cartilage grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Luo
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Johnnie Y J Chu
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Rajalakshmanan Eswaramoorthy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, No.1, Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600116, India
| | - Kevin J Mulhall
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Daniel J Kelly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Naughton Institute, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
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43
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Nims RJ, Durney KM, Cigan AD, Dusséaux A, Hung CT, Ateshian GA. Continuum theory of fibrous tissue damage mechanics using bond kinetics: application to cartilage tissue engineering. Interface Focus 2016; 6:20150063. [PMID: 26855751 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2015.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents a damage mechanics framework that employs observable state variables to describe damage in isotropic or anisotropic fibrous tissues. In this mixture theory framework, damage is tracked by the mass fraction of bonds that have broken. Anisotropic damage is subsumed in the assumption that multiple bond species may coexist in a material, each having its own damage behaviour. This approach recovers the classical damage mechanics formulation for isotropic materials, but does not appeal to a tensorial damage measure for anisotropic materials. In contrast with the classical approach, the use of observable state variables for damage allows direct comparison of model predictions to experimental damage measures, such as biochemical assays or Raman spectroscopy. Investigations of damage in discrete fibre distributions demonstrate that the resilience to damage increases with the number of fibre bundles; idealizing fibrous tissues using continuous fibre distribution models precludes the modelling of damage. This damage framework was used to test and validate the hypothesis that growth of cartilage constructs can lead to damage of the synthesized collagen matrix due to excessive swelling caused by synthesized glycosaminoglycans. Therefore, alternative strategies must be implemented in tissue engineering studies to prevent collagen damage during the growth process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Nims
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , Columbia University , 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027 , USA
| | - Krista M Durney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , Columbia University , 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027 , USA
| | - Alexander D Cigan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , Columbia University , 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027 , USA
| | - Antoine Dusséaux
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Columbia University , 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027 , USA
| | - Clark T Hung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , Columbia University , 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027 , USA
| | - Gerard A Ateshian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, MC4703, New York, NY 10027, USA
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44
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DeLucca JF, Cortes DH, Jacobs NT, Vresilovic EJ, Duncan RL, Elliott DM. Human cartilage endplate permeability varies with degeneration and intervertebral disc site. J Biomech 2016; 49:550-7. [PMID: 26874969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the critical functions the human cartilage endplate (CEP) plays in the intervertebral disc, little is known about its structural and mechanical properties and their changes with degeneration. Quantifying these changes with degeneration is important for understanding how the CEP contributes to the function and pathology of the disc. Therefore the objectives of this study were to quantify the effect of disc degeneration on human CEP mechanical properties, determine the influence of superior and inferior disc site on mechanics and composition, and simulate the role of collagen fibers in CEP and disc mechanics using a validated finite element model. Confined compression data and biochemical composition data were used in a biphasic-swelling model to calculate compressive extrafibrillar elastic and permeability properties. Tensile properties were obtained by applying published tensile test data to an ellipsoidal fiber distribution. Results showed that with degeneration CEP permeability decreased 50-60% suggesting that transport is inhibited in the degenerate disc. CEP fibers are organized parallel to the vertebrae and nucleus pulposus and may contribute to large shear strains (0.1-0.2) and delamination failure of the CEP commonly seen in herniated disc tissue. Fiber-reinforcement also reduces CEP axial strains thereby enhancing fluid flux by a factor of 1.8. Collectively, these results suggest that the structure and mechanics of the CEP may play critical roles in the solute transport and disc mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F DeLucca
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Daniel H Cortes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Nathan T Jacobs
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Edward J Vresilovic
- Penn State Hershey Bone and Joint Institute Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Randall L Duncan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Dawn M Elliott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States.
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Coupling cellular phenotype and mechanics to understand extracellular matrix formation and homeostasis in osteoarthritis * *financial support through BMBF project OVERLOAD-PrevOp, grant number 01EC1408H is acknowledged. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2016.12.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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46
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Decellularization of porcine articular cartilage explants and their subsequent repopulation with human chondroprogenitor cells. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2015; 55:21-31. [PMID: 26521085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Engineering tissues with comparable structure, composition and mechanical functionality to native articular cartilage remains a challenge. One possible solution would be to decellularize xenogeneic articular cartilage in such a way that the structure of the tissue is maintained, and to then repopulate this decellularized matrix with human chondroprogenitor cells that will facilitate the reconstitution, maintenance and eventual turnover of the construct following implantation. The overall objective of this study was to develop a protocol to efficiently decellularize porcine articular cartilage grafts and to identify a methodology to subsequently repopulate such explants with human chondroprogenitor cells. To this end, channels were first introduced into cylindrical articular cartilage explants, which were then decellularized with a combination of various chemical reagents including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and nucleases. The decellularization protocol resulted in a ~90% reduction in porcine DNA content, with little observed effect on the collagen content and the collagen architecture of the tissue, although a near-complete removal of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and a related reduction in tissue compressive properties was observed. The introduction of channels did not have any detrimental effect on the biochemical or the mechanical properties of the decellularized tissue. Next, decellularized cartilage explants with or without channels were seeded with human infrapatellar fat pad derived stem cells (FPSCs) and cultured chondrogenically under either static or rotational conditions for 10 days. Both channeled and non-channeled explants supported the viability, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of FPSCs. The addition of channels facilitated cell migration and subsequent deposition of cartilage-specific matrix into more central regions of these explants. The application of rotational culture appeared to promote a less proliferative cellular phenotype and led to an increase in sGAG synthesis within the explants. Rotational culture also appeared to promote higher cell viability and led to a more even distribution of cells within the channels of decellularized explants. To conclude, this study describes an effective protocol for the decellularization of porcine articular cartilage grafts and a novel methodology for the partial recellularization of such explants with human stem cells. Decellularized soft tissue explants that maintain their native collagen architecture may represent promising scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering applications.
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Oungoulian SR, Durney KM, Jones BK, Ahmad CS, Hung CT, Ateshian GA. Wear and damage of articular cartilage with friction against orthopedic implant materials. J Biomech 2015; 48:1957-64. [PMID: 25912663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to measure the wear response of immature bovine articular cartilage tested against glass or alloys used in hemiarthroplasties. Two cobalt chromium alloys and a stainless steel alloy were selected for these investigations. The surface roughness of one of the cobalt chromium alloys was also varied within the range considered acceptable by regulatory agencies. Cartilage disks were tested in a configuration that promoted loss of interstitial fluid pressurization to accelerate conditions believed to occur in hemiarthroplasties. Results showed that considerably more damage occurred in cartilage samples tested against stainless steel (10 nm roughness) and low carbon cobalt chromium alloy (27 nm roughness) compared to glass (10 nm) and smoother low or high carbon cobalt chromium (10 nm). The two materials producing the greatest damage also exhibited higher equilibrium friction coefficients. Cartilage damage occurred primarily in the form of delamination at the interface between the superficial tangential zone and the transitional middle zone, with much less evidence of abrasive wear at the articular surface. These results suggest that cartilage damage from frictional loading occurs as a result of subsurface fatigue failure leading to the delamination. Surface chemistry and surface roughness of implant materials can have a significant influence on tissue damage, even when using materials and roughness values that satisfy regulatory requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevan R Oungoulian
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Krista M Durney
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian K Jones
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher S Ahmad
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clark T Hung
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gerard A Ateshian
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Takahashi A, Majumdar A, Parameswaran H, Bartolák-Suki E, Suki B. Proteoglycans maintain lung stability in an elastase-treated mouse model of emphysema. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 51:26-33. [PMID: 24450478 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0179oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue rupture contribute to the progression of emphysema. Lung tissue elasticity is governed by the tensile stiffness of fibers and the compressive stiffness of proteoglycans. It is not known how proteoglycan remodeling affects tissue stability and destruction in emphysema. The objective of this study was to characterize the role of remodeled proteoglycans in alveolar stability and tissue destruction in emphysema. At 30 days after treatment with porcine pancreatic elastase, mouse lung tissue stiffness and alveolar deformation were evaluated under varying tonicity conditions that affect the stiffness of proteoglycans. Proteoglycans were stained and measured in the alveolar walls. Computational models of alveolar stability and rupture incorporating the mechanical properties of fibers and proteoglycans were developed. Although absolute tissue stiffness was only 24% of normal, changes in relative stiffness and alveolar shape distortion due to changes in tonicity were increased in emphysema (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). Glycosaminoglycan amount per unit alveolar wall length, which is responsible for proteoglycan stiffness, was higher in emphysema (P < 0.001). Versican expression increased in the tissue, but decorin decreased. Our network model predicted that the rate of tissue deterioration locally governed by mechanical forces was reduced when proteoglycan stiffness was increased. Consequently, this general network model explains why increasing proteoglycan deposition protects the alveolar walls from rupture in emphysema. Our results suggest that the loss of proteoglycans observed in human emphysema contributes to disease progression, whereas treatments that promote proteoglycan deposition in the extracellular matrix should slow the progression of emphysema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuko Takahashi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Shape-memory porous alginate scaffolds for regeneration of the annulus fibrosus: effect of TGF-β3 supplementation and oxygen culture conditions. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:1985-95. [PMID: 24380722 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Disc herniation as a result of degenerative or traumatic injury is believed to be the primary instigator of low back pain. At present there is a lack of viable treatment options to repair damaged annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue. Developing alternative strategies to fill and repair ruptured AF tissue is a key challenge. In this work we developed a porous alginate scaffold with shape-memory properties which can be delivered using minimally invasive approaches and recover its original geometry once hydrated. Covalently cross-linked alginate hydrogels were created using carbodiimide chemistry, followed by a freeze-drying step to impart porosity and create porous scaffolds. Results showed that porous alginate scaffolds exhibited shape-memory recovery and mechanical behaviour that could be modulated depending on the cross-linker concentrations. The scaffold can be repeatedly compressed and expanded, which provides the potential to deliver the biomaterial directly to the damaged area of the AF tissue. In vitro experiments demonstrated that scaffolds were cytocompatible and supported cell seeding, penetration and proliferation under intervertebral-disc-like microenvironmental conditions (low glucose media and low oxygen concentration). Extracellular matrix (ECM) was secreted by AF cells with TGF-β3 stimulation and after 21days had filled the porous scaffold network. This biological matrix was rich in sulfated glycosaminoglycan and collagen type I, which are the main compounds of native AF tissue. Successful ECM deposition was also confirmed by the increase in the peak stress of the scaffold. However, the immaturity of the matrix network after only 21days of in vitro culture was not sufficient to attain native AF tissue mechanical properties. The ability to deliver porous scaffolds using minimal invasive approaches that can potentially promote the regeneration of AF defects provides an exciting new avenue for disc repair.
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Ateshian GA, Maas S, Weiss JA. Multiphasic finite element framework for modeling hydrated mixtures with multiple neutral and charged solutes. J Biomech Eng 2014; 135:111001. [PMID: 23775399 DOI: 10.1115/1.4024823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Computational tools are often needed to model the complex behavior of biological tissues and cells when they are represented as mixtures of multiple neutral or charged constituents. This study presents the formulation of a finite element modeling framework for describing multiphasic materials in the open-source finite element software febio.1 Multiphasic materials may consist of a charged porous solid matrix, a solvent, and any number of neutral or charged solutes. This formulation proposes novel approaches for addressing several challenges posed by the finite element analysis of such complex materials: The exclusion of solutes from a fraction of the pore space due to steric volume and short-range electrostatic effects is modeled by a solubility factor, whose dependence on solid matrix deformation and solute concentrations may be described by user-defined constitutive relations. These solute exclusion mechanisms combine with long-range electrostatic interactions into a partition coefficient for each solute whose value is dependent upon the evaluation of the electric potential from the electroneutrality condition. It is shown that this electroneutrality condition reduces to a polynomial equation with only one valid root for the electric potential, regardless of the number and valence of charged solutes in the mixture. The equation of charge conservation is enforced as a constraint within the equation of mass balance for each solute, producing a natural boundary condition for solute fluxes that facilitates the prescription of electric current density on a boundary. It is also shown that electrical grounding is necessary to produce numerical stability in analyses where all the boundaries of a multiphasic material are impermeable to ions. Several verification problems are presented that demonstrate the ability of the code to reproduce known or newly derived solutions: (1) the Kedem-Katchalsky model for osmotic loading of a cell; (2) Donnan osmotic swelling of a charged hydrated tissue; and (3) current flow in an electrolyte. Furthermore, the code is used to generate novel theoretical predictions of known experimental findings in biological tissues: (1) current-generated stress in articular cartilage and (2) the influence of salt cation charge number on the cartilage creep response. This generalized finite element framework for multiphasic materials makes it possible to model the mechanoelectrochemical behavior of biological tissues and cells and sets the stage for the future analysis of reactive mixtures to account for growth and remodeling.
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