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Hashemi-Afzal F, Fallahi H, Bagheri F, Collins MN, Eslaminejad MB, Seitz H. Advancements in hydrogel design for articular cartilage regeneration: A comprehensive review. Bioact Mater 2025; 43:1-31. [PMID: 39318636 PMCID: PMC11418067 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review paper explores the cutting-edge advancements in hydrogel design for articular cartilage regeneration (CR). Articular cartilage (AC) defects are a common occurrence worldwide that can lead to joint breakdown at a later stage of the disease, necessitating immediate intervention to prevent progressive degeneration of cartilage. Decades of research into the biomedical applications of hydrogels have revealed their tremendous potential, particularly in soft tissue engineering, including CR. Hydrogels are highly tunable and can be designed to meet the key criteria needed for a template in CR. This paper aims to identify those criteria, including the hydrogel components, mechanical properties, biodegradability, structural design, and integration capability with the adjacent native tissue and delves into the benefits that CR can obtain through appropriate design. Stratified-structural hydrogels that emulate the native cartilage structure, as well as the impact of environmental stimuli on the regeneration outcome, have also been discussed. By examining recent advances and emerging techniques, this paper offers valuable insights into developing effective hydrogel-based therapies for AC repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Hashemi-Afzal
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, 14115-111, Iran
| | - Hooman Fallahi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, 14115-111, Iran
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA
| | - Fatemeh Bagheri
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, 14115-111, Iran
| | - Maurice N. Collins
- School of Engineering, Bernal Institute and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Sciences Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, 16635-148, Iran
| | - Hermann Seitz
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, 18059 Rostock, Germany
- Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Straße 25, 18059 Rostock, Germany
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Rajankunte Mahadeshwara M, Al-Jawad M, Hall RM, Pandit H, El-Gendy R, Bryant M. How Do Cartilage Lubrication Mechanisms Fail in Osteoarthritis? A Comprehensive Review. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:541. [PMID: 38927777 PMCID: PMC11200606 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060541] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cartilage degeneration is a characteristic of osteoarthritis (OA), which is often observed in aging populations. This degeneration is due to the breakdown of articular cartilage (AC) mechanical and tribological properties primarily attributed to lubrication failure. Understanding the reasons behind these failures and identifying potential solutions could have significant economic and societal implications, ultimately enhancing quality of life. This review provides an overview of developments in the field of AC, focusing on its mechanical and tribological properties. The emphasis is on the role of lubrication in degraded AC, offering insights into its structure and function relationship. Further, it explores the fundamental connection between AC mechano-tribological properties and the advancement of its degradation and puts forth recommendations for strategies to boost its lubrication efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Rajankunte Mahadeshwara
- Institute of Functional Surfaces, Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; (M.A.-J.); (R.E.-G.)
| | - Maisoon Al-Jawad
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; (M.A.-J.); (R.E.-G.)
| | - Richard M. Hall
- School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Hemant Pandit
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM), University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK;
| | - Reem El-Gendy
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; (M.A.-J.); (R.E.-G.)
- Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 3, Ismailia Governorate 8366004, Egypt
| | - Michael Bryant
- Institute of Functional Surfaces, Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
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Dixit A, Mahajan A, Saxena R, Chakraborty S, Katti DS. Engineering sulfated polysaccharides and silk fibroin based injectable IPN hydrogels with stiffening and growth factor presentation abilities for cartilage tissue engineering. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:2067-2085. [PMID: 38470831 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01466e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) presents a framework for various biological cues and regulates homeostasis during both developing and mature stages of tissues. During development of cartilage, the ECM plays a critical role in endowing both biophysical and biochemical cues to the progenitor cells. Hence, designing microenvironments that recapitulate these biological cues as provided by the ECM during development may facilitate the engineering of cartilage tissue. In the present study, we fabricated an injectable interpenetrating hydrogel (IPN) system which serves as an artificial ECM and provides chondro-inductive niches for the differentiation of stem cells to chondrocytes. The hydrogel was designed to replicate the gradual stiffening (as a biophysical cue) and the presentation of growth factors (as a biochemical cue) as provided by the natural ECM of the tissue, thus exemplifying a biomimetic approach. This dynamic stiffening was achieved by incorporating silk fibroin, while the growth factor presentation was accomplished using sulfated-carboxymethyl cellulose. Silk fibroin and sulfated-carboxymethyl cellulose (s-CMC) were combined with tyraminated-carboxymethyl cellulose (t-CMC) and crosslinked using HRP/H2O2 to fabricate s-CMC/t-CMC/silk IPN hydrogels. Initially, the fabricated hydrogel imparted a soft microenvironment to promote chondrogenic differentiation, and with time it gradually stiffened to offer mechanical support to the joint. Additionally, the presence of s-CMC conferred the hydrogel with the property of sequestering cationic growth factors such as TGF-β and allowing their prolonged presentation to the cells. More importantly, TGF-β loaded in the developed hydrogel system remained active and induced chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells, resulting in the deposition of cartilage ECM components which was comparable to the hydrogels that were treated with TGF-β provided through media. Overall, the developed hydrogel system acts as a reservoir of the necessary biological cues for cartilage regeneration and simultaneously provides mechanical support for load-bearing tissues such as cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akansha Dixit
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aman Mahajan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rakshita Saxena
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Saptomee Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dhirendra S Katti
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Kanpur-208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Han Q, He J, Bai L, Huang Y, Chen B, Li Z, Xu M, Liu Q, Wang S, Wen N, Zhang J, Guo B, Yin Z. Injectable Bioadhesive Photocrosslinkable Hydrogels with Sustained Release of Kartogenin to Promote Chondrogenic Differentiation and Partial-Thickness Cartilage Defects Repair. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303255. [PMID: 38253413 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303255] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Partial-thickness cartilage defect (PTCD) is a common and formidable clinical challenge without effective therapeutic approaches. The inherent anti-adhesive characteristics of the extracellular matrix within cartilage pose a significant impediment to the integration of cells or biomaterials with the native cartilage during cartilage repair. Here, an injectable photocrosslinked bioadhesive hydrogel, consisting of gelatin methacryloyl (GM), acryloyl-6-aminocaproic acid-g-N-hydroxysuccinimide (AN), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres loaded with kartogenin (KGN) (abbreviated as GM/AN/KGN hydrogel), is designed to enhance interfacial integration and repair of PTCD. After injected in situ at the irregular defect, a stable and robust hydrogel network is rapidly formed by ultraviolet irradiation, and it can be quickly and tightly adhered to native cartilage through amide bonds. The hydrogel exhibits good adhesion strength up to 27.25 ± 1.22 kPa by lap shear strength experiments. The GM/AN/KGN hydrogel demonstrates good adhesion, low swelling, resistance to fatigue, biocompatibility, and chondrogenesis properties in vitro. A rat model with PTCD exhibits restoration of a smoother surface, stable seamless integration, and abundant aggrecan and type II collagen production. The injectable stable adhesive hydrogel with long-term chondrogenic differentiation capacity shows great potential to facilitate repair of PTCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Han
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Jiahui He
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Lang Bai
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Baojun Chen
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Zhenlong Li
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Meiguang Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Qiaonan Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Nuanyang Wen
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education. School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Baolin Guo
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Zhanhai Yin
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
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Zbýň Š, Ludwig KD, Watkins LE, Lagore RL, Nowacki A, Tóth F, Tompkins MA, Zhang L, Adriany G, Gold GE, Shea KG, Nagel AM, Carlson CS, Metzger GJ, Ellermann JM. Changes in tissue sodium concentration and sodium relaxation times during the maturation of human knee cartilage: Ex vivo 23 Na MRI study at 10.5 T. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:1099-1114. [PMID: 37997011 PMCID: PMC10751033 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29930] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of skeletal maturation on sodium (23 Na) MRI relaxation parameters and the accuracy of tissue sodium concentration (TSC) quantification in human knee cartilage. METHODS Twelve pediatric knee specimens were imaged with whole-body 10.5 T MRI using a density-adapted 3D radial projection sequence to evaluate 23 Na parameters: B1 + , T1 , biexponentialT 2 * $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2^{\ast } $$ , and TSC. Water, collagen, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content were calculated from osteochondral biopsies. The TSC was corrected for B1 + , relaxation, and water content. The literature-based TSC (TSCLB ) used previously published values for corrections, whereas the specimen-specific TSC (TSCSP ) used measurements from individual specimens. 23 Na parameters were evaluated in eight cartilage compartments segmented on proton images. Associations between 23 Na parameters, TSCLB - TSCSP difference, biochemical content, and age were determined. RESULTS From birth to 12 years, cartilage water content decreased by 18%; collagen increased by 59%; and sGAG decreased by 36% (all R2 ≥ 0.557). The shortT 2 * $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2^{\ast } $$ (T 2 * S $$ {{\mathrm{T}}_2^{\ast}}_{\mathrm{S}} $$ ) decreased by 72%, and the signal fraction relaxing withT 2 * S $$ {{\mathrm{T}}_2^{\ast}}_{\mathrm{S}} $$ (fT 2 * S $$ {{\mathrm{fT}}_2^{\ast}}_{\mathrm{S}} $$ ) increased by 55% during the first 5 years but remained relatively stable after that. TSCSP was significantly correlated with sGAG content from biopsies (R2 = 0.739). Depending on age, TSCLB showed higher or lower values than TSCSP . The TSCLB - TSCSP difference was significantly correlated withT 2 * S $$ {{\mathrm{T}}_2^{\ast}}_{\mathrm{S}} $$ (R2 = 0.850),fT 2 * S $$ {{\mathrm{fT}}_2^{\ast}}_{\mathrm{S}} $$ (R2 = 0.651), and water content (R2 = 0.738). CONCLUSION TSC and relaxation parameters measured with 23 Na MRI provide noninvasive information about changes in sGAG content and collagen matrix during cartilage maturation. Cartilage TSC quantification assuming fixed relaxation may be feasible in children older than 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Štefan Zbýň
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Kai D. Ludwig
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Lauren E. Watkins
- Department of Radiology, Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
- Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO
| | - Russell L. Lagore
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Amanda Nowacki
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- University of Texas, Austin, TX
| | - Ferenc Tóth
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Marc A. Tompkins
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Lin Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Gregor Adriany
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Garry E. Gold
- Department of Radiology, Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Kevin G. Shea
- Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cathy S. Carlson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
| | - Gregory J. Metzger
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jutta M. Ellermann
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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Kondiboyina V, Duerr TJ, Monaghan JR, Shefelbine SJ. Material properties in regenerating axolotl limbs using inverse finite element analysis. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 150:106341. [PMID: 38160643 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extracellular mechanical environment plays an important role in the skeletal development process. Characterization of the material properties of regenerating tissues that recapitulate development, provides insights into the mechanical environment experienced by the cells and the maturation of the matrix. In this study, we estimated the viscoelastic material properties of regenerating forelimbs in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) at three different regeneration stages: 27 days post-amputation (mid-late bud) and 41 days post-amputation (palette stage), and fully-grown time points. A stress-relaxation indentation test followed by two-term Prony series viscoelastic inverse finite element analysis was used to obtain material parameters. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was estimated using a 1,9- dimethyl methylene blue assay. RESULTS The instantaneous and equilibrium shear moduli significantly increased with regeneration while the short-term stress relaxation time significantly decreased with limb regeneration. The long-term stress relaxation time in the fully-grown time point was significantly lower than 27 and 41 DPA groups. The GAG content was not significantly different between 27 and 41 DPA but the GAG content of cartilage in the fully-grown group was significantly greater than in 27 and 41 DPA. CONCLUSIONS The mechanical environment of the proliferating cells changes drastically during limb regeneration. Understanding how the tissue's mechanical properties change during limb regeneration is critical for linking molecular-level matrix production of the cells to tissue-level behavior and mechanical signals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sandra J Shefelbine
- Dept. of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Dept. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
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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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Middendorf JM, Barocas VH. MRI-based degeneration grades for lumbar facet joints do not correlate with cartilage mechanics. JOR Spine 2023; 6:e1246. [PMID: 37361329 PMCID: PMC10285760 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1246] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lumbar facet joint arthritis is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage, loss of joint spacing, and increased boney spur formation. These signs of facet joint degeneration have been previously measured using destructive biochemical and mechanical analysis. Nondestructive clinical evaluation of the facet joint has also been performed using MRI scoring, which ranks the health of the facet joint using the Fujiwara scale. However, nondestructive clinical evaluation of facet joint arthritis using standard MRI scoring provides low resolution images which result in high interobserver variability. Therefore, to assess the accuracy of nondestructive MRI analysis with regard to the health of the facet joint, this study determined whether any correlations existed between lumbar facet joint articular cartilage mechanics, facet articular cartilage biochemical signatures, and Fujiwara scores. Materials and Method To accomplish this aim, human cadaveric lumbar spines were obtained and imaged using T1 MRI, then independently scored by three spine researchers. An osteochondral plug from each of the L2 thru L5 facet joints was obtained and loaded under unconfined compression. Results The experiments showed no trends between histological images and changes in the Fujiwara score. The mechanical properties of articular cartilage (thickness, Young's modulus, instantaneous modulus, and permeability) also had no correlations with the Fujiwara score. Conclusions These results show that the current Fujiwara score cannot accurately describe the biomechanics or biochemical composition of facet joint articular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M. Middendorf
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Victor H. Barocas
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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9
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Morejon A, Dalbo PL, Best TM, Jackson AR, Travascio F. Tensile energy dissipation and mechanical properties of the knee meniscus: relationship with fiber orientation, tissue layer, and water content. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1205512. [PMID: 37324417 PMCID: PMC10264653 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1205512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The knee meniscus distributes and dampens mechanical loads. It is composed of water (∼70%) and a porous fibrous matrix (∼30%) with a central core that is reinforced by circumferential collagen fibers enclosed by mesh-like superficial tibial and femoral layers. Daily loading activities produce mechanical tensile loads which are transferred through and dissipated by the meniscus. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure how tensile mechanical properties and extent of energy dissipation vary by tension direction, meniscal layer, and water content. Methods: The central regions of porcine meniscal pairs (n = 8) were cut into tensile samples (4.7 mm length, 2.1 mm width, and 0.356 mm thickness) from core, femoral and tibial components. Core samples were prepared parallel (circumferential) and perpendicular (radial) to the fibers. Tensile testing consisted of frequency sweeps (0.01-1Hz) followed by quasi-static loading to failure. Dynamic testing yielded energy dissipation (ED), complex modulus (E*), and phase shift (δ) while quasi-static tests yielded Young's Modulus (E), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and strain at UTS (εUTS). To investigate how ED is influenced by the specific mechanical parameters, linear regressions were performed. Correlations between sample water content (φw) and mechanical properties were investigated. A total of 64 samples were evaluated. Results: Dynamic tests showed that increasing loading frequency significantly reduced ED (p < 0.05). Circumferential samples had higher ED, E*, E, and UTS than radial ones (p < 0.001). Stiffness was highly correlated with ED (R2 > 0.75, p < 0.01). No differences were found between superficial and circumferential core layers. ED, E*, E, and UTS trended negatively with φw (p < 0.05). Discussion: Energy dissipation, stiffness, and strength are highly dependent on loading direction. A significant amount of energy dissipation may be associated with time-dependent reorganization of matrix fibers. This is the first study to analyze the tensile dynamic properties and energy dissipation of the meniscus surface layers. Results provide new insights on the mechanics and function of meniscal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Morejon
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Pedro L. Dalbo
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Thomas M. Best
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Alicia R. Jackson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Francesco Travascio
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Max Biedermann Institute for Biomechanics at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
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10
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Wang C, Kahle ER, Li Q, Han L. Nanomechanics of Aggrecan: A New Perspective on Cartilage Biomechanics, Disease and Regeneration. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1402:69-82. [PMID: 37052847 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-25588-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Articular cartilage is a hydrated macromolecular composite mainly composed of type II collagen fibrils and the large proteoglycan, aggrecan. Aggrecan is a key determinant of the load bearing and energy dissipation functions of cartilage. Previously, studies of cartilage biomechanics have been primarily focusing on the macroscopic, tissue-level properties, which failed to elucidate the molecular-level activities that govern cartilage development, function, and disease. This chapter provides a brief summary of Dr. Alan J. Grodzinsky's seminal contribution to the understanding of aggrecan molecular mechanics at the nanoscopic level. By developing and applying a series of atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanomechanical tools, Grodzinsky and colleagues revealed the unique structural and mechanical characteristics of aggrecan at unprecedented resolutions. In this body of work, the "bottle-brush"-like ultrastructure of aggrecan was directly visualized for the first time. Meanwhile, molecular mechanics of aggrecan was studied using a physiological-like 2D biomimetic assembly of aggrecan on multiple fronts, including compression, dynamic loading, shear, and adhesion. These studies not only generated new insights into the development, aging, and disease of cartilage, but established a foundation for designing and evaluating novel cartilage regeneration strategies. For example, building on the scientific foundation and methodology infrastructure established by Dr. Grodzinsky, recent studies have elucidated the roles of other proteoglycans in mediating cartilage integrity, such as decorin and perlecan, and evaluated the therapeutic potential of biomimetic proteoglycans in improving cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Kahle
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qing Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lin Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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11
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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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12
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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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13
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Microenvironmentally optimized 3D-printed TGFβ-functionalized scaffolds facilitate endogenous cartilage regeneration in sheep. Acta Biomater 2022; 150:181-198. [PMID: 35896136 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Clinically, microfracture is the most commonly applied surgical technique for cartilage defects. However, an increasing number of studies have shown that the clinical improvement remains questionable, and the reason remains unclear. Notably, recent discoveries revealed that signals from regenerated niches play a critical role in determining mesenchymal stem cell fate specification and differentiation. We speculate that a microenvironmentally optimized scaffold that directs mesenchymal stem cell fate will be a good therapeutic strategy for cartilage repair. Therefore, we first explored the deficiency of microfractures in cartilage repair. The microfracture not only induced inflammatory cell aggregation in blood clots but also consisted of loose granulation tissue with increased levels of proteins related to fibrogenesis. We then fabricated a functional cartilage scaffold using two strong bioactive cues, transforming growth factor-β3 and decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix, to modulate the cell fate of mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, poly(ε-caprolactone) was also coprinted with extracellular matrix-based bioinks to provide early mechanical support. The in vitro studies showed that microenvironmentally optimized scaffolds exert powerful effects on modulating the mesenchymal stem cell fate, such as promoting cell migration, proliferation and chondrogenesis. Importantly, this strategy achieved superior regeneration in sheep via scaffolds with biomechanics (restored well-organized collagen orientation) and antiapoptotic properties (cell death-related genes were also downregulated). In summary, this study provides evidence that microenvironmentally optimized scaffolds improve cartilage regeneration in situ by regulating the microenvironment and support further translation in human cartilage repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Although microfracture (MF)-based treatment for chondral defects has been commonly used, critical gaps exist in understanding the biochemistry of MF-induced repaired tissue. More importantly, the clinically unsatisfactory effects of MF treatment have prompted researchers to focus on tissue engineering scaffolds that may have sufficient therapeutic efficacy. In this manuscript, a 3D printing ink containing cartilage tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM), methacrylate gelatin (GelMA), and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3)-embedded polylactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres was coprinted with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds for chondral defect repair. The sustained release of TGF-β3 from scaffolds successfully directed endogenous stem/progenitor cell migration and differentiation. This microenvironmentally optimized scaffold produced improved tissue repair outcomes in the sheep animal model, explicitly guiding more organized neotissue formation and therefore recapitulating the anisotropic structure of native articular cartilage. We hypothesized that the cell-free scaffolds might improve the clinical applicability and become a new therapeutic option for chondral defect repair.
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14
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Mantebea H, Batool S, Singh A, Hammami M, Badar F, Xia Y. Structural differences between immature and mature articular cartilage of rabbits by microscopic MRI and polarized light microscopy. J Anat 2022; 240:1141-1151. [PMID: 34981507 PMCID: PMC9119607 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the structural features between immature and mature articular cartilage from the humeral and femoral joints of rabbits. Specimens of articular cartilage (n = 6 for immature tissue, n = 6 for mature tissue) that were still attached to the underlying bone from a humerus (shoulder joint) or femur (knee joint) were imaged using microscopic MRI (µMRI) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Quantitative µMRI data with a pixel resolution of 11.7-13.2 µm revealed a number of differences between the immature and mature cartilage, including total thickness, and T2 and T1ρ relaxation values. Quantitative PLM data with a pixel resolution of 0.25-1 µm confirmed the µMRI results and revealed additional differences in cellular features between the tissues. The mature cartilage had a clearly defined tidemark, which was absent in the immature tissue. The ability to differentiate specific maturation-related cartilage characteristics could be beneficial to translational studies of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mantebea
- Department of Physics and Center for Biomedical ResearchOakland UniversityRochesterMIUSA
| | - Syeda Batool
- Department of Physics and Center for Biomedical ResearchOakland UniversityRochesterMIUSA
| | - Amanveer Singh
- Department of Physics and Center for Biomedical ResearchOakland UniversityRochesterMIUSA
| | - Mohammed Hammami
- Department of Physics and Center for Biomedical ResearchOakland UniversityRochesterMIUSA
| | - Farid Badar
- Department of Physics and Center for Biomedical ResearchOakland UniversityRochesterMIUSA
| | - Yang Xia
- Department of Physics and Center for Biomedical ResearchOakland UniversityRochesterMIUSA
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15
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Bielajew BJ, Donahue RP, Lamkin EK, Hu JC, Hascall VC, Athanasiou KA. Proteomic, mechanical, and biochemical characterization of cartilage development. Acta Biomater 2022; 143:52-62. [PMID: 35235865 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this work is to examine the development of porcine cartilage by analyzing its mechanical properties, biochemical content, and proteomics at different developmental stages. Cartilage from the knees of fetal, neonatal, juvenile, and mature pigs was analyzed using histology, mechanical testing, biochemical assays, fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis, and bottom-up proteomics. Mature cartilage has 2.2-times the collagen per dry weight of fetal cartilage, and fetal cartilage has 2.1-times and 17.9-times the glycosaminoglycan and DNA per dry weight of mature cartilage, respectively. Tensile and compressive properties peak in the juvenile stage, with a tensile modulus 4.7-times that of neonatal. Proteomics analysis reveals increases in collagen types II and III, while collagen types IX, XI, and XIV, and aggrecan decrease with age. For example, collagen types IX and XI decrease 9.4-times and 5.1-times, respectively from fetal to mature. Mechanical and biochemical measurements have their greatest developmental changes between the neonatal and juvenile stages, where mechanotransduction plays a major role. Bottom-up proteomics serves as a powerful tool for tissue characterization, showing results beyond those of routine biochemical analysis. For example, proteomic analysis shows significant drops in collagen types IX, XI, and XIV throughout development, which shows insight into the permanence of cartilage's matrix. Changes in overall glycosaminoglycan content compared to aggrecan and link protein indicate non-enzymatic degradation of aggrecan structures or hyaluronan in mature cartilage. In addition to tissue characterization, bottom-up proteomics techniques are critical in tissue engineering efforts toward repair or regeneration of cartilage in animal models. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, the development of porcine articular cartilage is interrogated through biomechanical, biochemical, and proteomic techniques, to determine how mechanics and extracellular matrix composition change from fetal to mature cartilage. For the first time, a bottom-up proteomics approach is used to reveal a wide variety of protein changes through aging; for example, the collagen subtype composition of the cartilage increases in collagen types II and III, and decreases in collagen types IX, XI, and XIV. This analysis shows that bottom-up proteomics is a critical tool in tissue characterization, especially toward developing a deeper understanding of matrix composition and development in tissue engineering studies.
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16
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Morejon A, Mantero AMA, Best TM, Jackson AR, Travascio F. Mechanisms of energy dissipation and relationship with tissue composition in human meniscus. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2022; 30:605-612. [PMID: 35032627 PMCID: PMC8940718 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The human meniscus is essential in maintaining proper knee joint function. The meniscus absorbs shock, distributes loads, and stabilizes the knee joint to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. The extent of its shock-absorbing role can be estimated by measuring the energy dissipated by the meniscus during cyclic mechanical loading. METHODS Samples were prepared from the central and horn regions of medial and lateral human menisci from 8 donors (both knees for total of 16 samples). Cyclic compression tests at several compression strains and frequencies yielded the energy dissipated per tissue volume. A GEE regression model was used to investigate the effects of compression, meniscal side and region, and water content on energy dissipation in order to account for repeated measures within samples. RESULTS Energy dissipation by the meniscus increased with compressive strain from ∼0.1 kJ/m3 (at 10% strain) to ∼10 kJ/m3 (at 20% strain) and decreased with loading frequency. Samples from the anterior region provided the largest energy dissipation when compared to central and posterior samples (P < 0.05). Water content for the 16 meniscal tissues was 77.9 (C.I. 72.0-83.8%) of the total tissue mass. A negative correlation was found between energy dissipation and water content (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The extent of energy dissipated by the meniscus is inversely related to loading frequency and meniscal water content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Morejon
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
| | | | - Thomas M. Best
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL,UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, Coral Gables, FL
| | - Alicia R. Jackson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL,Corresponding authors: Dr. Francesco Travascio, Associate Professor College of Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, MEB 276 Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA Telephone: +1-(305)-284-2371, Dr. Alicia R. Jackson Associate Professor, College of Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, MEA 219 Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA, Telephone: +1-(305)-284-2135,
| | - Francesco Travascio
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL,Max Biedermann Institute for Biomechanics at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL,Corresponding authors: Dr. Francesco Travascio, Associate Professor College of Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, MEB 276 Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA Telephone: +1-(305)-284-2371, Dr. Alicia R. Jackson Associate Professor, College of Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, MEA 219 Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA, Telephone: +1-(305)-284-2135,
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17
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Kahle ER, Han B, Chandrasekaran P, Phillips ER, Mulcahey MK, Lu XL, Marcolongo MS, Han L. Molecular Engineering of Pericellular Microniche via Biomimetic Proteoglycans Modulates Cell Mechanobiology. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1220-1230. [PMID: 35015500 PMCID: PMC9271520 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c09015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Molecular engineering of biological tissues using synthetic mimics of native matrix molecules can modulate the mechanical properties of the cellular microenvironment through physical interactions with existing matrix molecules, and in turn, mediate the corresponding cell mechanobiology. In articular cartilage, the pericellular matrix (PCM) is the immediate microniche that regulates cell fate, signaling, and metabolism. The negatively charged osmo-environment, as endowed by PCM proteoglycans, is a key biophysical cue for cell mechanosensing. This study demonstrated that biomimetic proteoglycans (BPGs), which mimic the ultrastructure and polyanionic nature of native proteoglycans, can be used to molecularly engineer PCM micromechanics and cell mechanotransduction in cartilage. Upon infiltration into bovine cartilage explant, we showed that localization of BPGs in the PCM leads to increased PCM micromodulus and enhanced chondrocyte intracellular calcium signaling. Applying molecular force spectroscopy, we revealed that BPGs integrate with native PCM through augmenting the molecular adhesion of aggrecan, the major PCM proteoglycan, at the nanoscale. These interactions are enabled by the biomimetic "bottle-brush" ultrastructure of BPGs and facilitate the integration of BPGs within the PCM. Thus, this class of biomimetic molecules can be used for modulating molecular interactions of pericellular proteoglycans and harnessing cell mechanosensing. Because the PCM is a prevalent feature of various cell types, BPGs hold promising potential for improving regeneration and disease modification for not only cartilage-related healthcare but many other tissues and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Kahle
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Biao Han
- 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
| | - Evan R. Phillips
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Mary K. Mulcahey
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - X. Lucas Lu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Michele S. Marcolongo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States
| | - Lin Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
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18
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Volz M, Elmasry S, Jackson AR, Travascio F. Computational Modeling Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology: A Review. Front Physiol 2022; 12:750668. [PMID: 35095548 PMCID: PMC8793742 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.750668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lower back pain is a medical condition of epidemic proportion, and the degeneration of the intervertebral disc has been identified as a major contributor. The etiology of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is multifactorial, depending on age, cell-mediated molecular degradation processes and genetics, which is accelerated by traumatic or gradual mechanical factors. The complexity of such intertwined biochemical and mechanical processes leading to degeneration makes it difficult to quantitatively identify cause–effect relationships through experiments. Computational modeling of the IVD is a powerful investigative tool since it offers the opportunity to vary, observe and isolate the effects of a wide range of phenomena involved in the degenerative process of discs. This review aims at discussing the main findings of finite element models of IVD pathophysiology with a special focus on the different factors contributing to physical changes typical of degenerative phenomena. Models presented are subdivided into those addressing role of nutritional supply, progressive biochemical alterations stemming from an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes, aging and those considering mechanical factors as the primary source that induces morphological change within the disc. Limitations of the current models, as well as opportunities for future computational modeling work are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory Volz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Shady Elmasry
- Department of Biomechanics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alicia R. Jackson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Francesco Travascio
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Max Biedermann Institute for Biomechanics, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Francesco Travascio,
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19
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Meng F, Yang Z, Long D, Gu M, Shang M, Zeng A, Wen X, Xue Y, Zhao X, He A. Hyaluronan size alters chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on tricalcium phosphate-collagen-hyaluronan scaffolds. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 110:838-850. [PMID: 34859573 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hyaluronan (HA) provides a favorable environment for chondrogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). A previous report from our group indicated that addition of HA increases the chondro-inductive capacity of scaffolds. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the Mw of the HA could affect chondrogenesis of BMSCs seeded on TCP-COL-HA scaffolds. Human BMSCs (hBMSCs) and rabbit BMSCs (rBMSCs) were isolated and expanded. TCP-COL scaffolds and TCP-COL-HA scaffolds with two different HA Mws were assessed for their capacity to induce cartilage regeneration from hBMSCs in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that about 96.96% of hBMSCs expressed CD44. Moreover, Hyal-1 and chondrogenic marker genes expressions were increased in hMSCs seeded on TCP-COL-HA scaffolds, and blocking the HA-CD44 interaction with an anti-CD44 antibody reduced the expression levels of Hyal-1 and chondrogenic marker genes. Additionally, TCP-COL-HA scaffolds with 2000 kDa Mw showed greater induction of BMSC chondrogenesis induction compared with those with 80 kDa Mw. Similar results were observed in an ectopic implantation nude mouse model. In a rabbit osteochondral defect repair model, rBMSCs seeded on TCP-COL-HA scaffolds with 2000 kDa Mw showed greater cartilage regeneration than those seeded with 80 kDa Mw. In addition, hBMSC-seeded TCP-COL-HA scaffolds with 2000 kDa Mw showed a significantly higher mechanical strength than those with 80 kDa Mw. Collectively, these results indicate that the Mw of HA could affect chondrogenesis of BMSCs seeded on TCP-COL-HA scaffolds. The TCP-COL-HA scaffolds might be used as allogenic off the shelf products in cartilage tissue engineering in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangang Meng
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zibo Yang
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dianbo Long
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minghui Gu
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Shang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anyu Zeng
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingzhao Wen
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yueran Xue
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhao
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aishan He
- Department of Joint Surgery/Sports Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Afara IO, Oloyede A. Resolving the Near-Infrared Spectrum of Articular Cartilage. Cartilage 2021; 13:729S-737S. [PMID: 34643470 PMCID: PMC8808936 DOI: 10.1177/19476035211035417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spectroscopic techniques, such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, are gaining significant research interest for characterizing connective tissues, particularly articular cartilage, because there is still a largely unmet need for rapid, accurate and objective methods for assessing tissue integrity in real-time during arthroscopic surgery. This study aims to identify the NIR spectral range that is optimal for characterizing cartilage integrity by (a) identifying the contribution of its major constituents (collagen and proteoglycans) to its overall spectrum using proxy constituent models and (b) determining constituent-specific spectral contributions that can be used for assessment of cartilage in its physiological state. DESIGN The NIR spectra of cartilage matrix constituent models were measured and compared with specific molecular components of organic compounds in the NIR spectral range in order to identify their bands and molecular assignments. To verify the identified bands, spectra of the model compounds were compared with those of native cartilage. Since water obscures some bands in the NIR range, spectral measurements of the native cartilage were conducted under conditions of decreasing water content to amplify features of the solid matrix components. The identified spectral bands were then compared and examined in the resulting spectra of the intact cartilage samples. RESULTS As water was progressively eliminated from cartilage, the specific contribution of the different matrix components was observed to correspond with those identified from the proxy cartilage component models. CONCLUSION Spectral peaks in the regions 5500 to 6250 cm-1 and 8100 to 8600 cm-1 were identified to be effective for characterizing cartilage proteoglycan and collagen contents, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac O. Afara
- Department of Applied Physics,
University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- School of Information Technology and
Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia
| | - Adekunle Oloyede
- School of Chemistry, Physics, and
Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of
Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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21
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Bundy JA, Yang JT, Morscher MA, Steiner RP, Adamczyk MJ, Weiner DS, Jacquet RD, Landis WJ. Induced hypothyroidism alters articular cartilage in skeletally immature miniature swine. Connect Tissue Res 2021; 62:643-657. [PMID: 33073630 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2020.1839436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/AIM Thyroid hormone has been implicated in the normal growth and development of articular cartilage; however, its effect on a disease state, such as hypothyroidism, is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to compare normal articular cartilage from proximal femurs of immature miniature swine to proximal femurs from hypothyroid-induced immature miniature swine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two 11-week-old male Sinclair miniature swine were made hypothyroid by administration of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in their drinking water; two control animals did not receive PTU. At 25 weeks of age, the animals were euthanized and their proximal femurs were fixed and decalcified. Samples were sectioned and analyzed by histology to define extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify types II and X collagen, and histomorphometry to assess articular cartilage mean total and localized height and cell density. Statistics included nested mixed-effects ANOVA with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS Compared to controls, hypothyroid articular cartilage demonstrated statistically significant quantitative differences in mean tissue height, mean cell density and type II collagen localized zone height. Qualitative differences in ECM proteoglycans and overall collagen types were also found. Type X collagen was not detected in either hypothyroid or control articular cartilage specimens. CONCLUSIONS Significant changes in articular cartilage structure in hypothyroid compared to control immature miniature swine suggest that thyroid hormone is critical in the growth and development of articular cartilage. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Understanding articular cartilage development in immature animal models may provide insight into healing or repair of degenerative human articular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Bundy
- Department of Polymer Science, University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Julianne T Yang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stark Women's Center, Canton, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Mark J Adamczyk
- Department of Orthopedics, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Dennis S Weiner
- Department of Orthopedics, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Robin DiFeo Jacquet
- Department of Polymer Science, University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA.,Department of Orthopedics, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - William J Landis
- Department of Polymer Science, University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA
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22
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Middendorf JM, Diamantides N, Kim B, Dugopolski C, Kennedy S, Blahut E, Cohen I, Bonassar LJ. The influence of chondrocyte source on the manufacturing reproducibility of human tissue engineered cartilage. Acta Biomater 2021; 131:276-285. [PMID: 34245892 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Multiple human tissue engineered cartilage constructs are showing promise in advanced clinical trials but identifying important measures of manufacturing reproducibility remains a challenge. FDA guidance suggests measuring multiple mechanical properties prior to implantation, because these properties could affect the long term success of the implant. Additionally, these engineered cartilage mechanics could be sensitive to the autologous chondrocyte source, an inherently irregular manufacturing starting material. If any mechanical properties are sensitive to changes in the autologous chondrocyte source, these properties may need to be measured prior to implantation to ensure manufacturing reproducibility and quality. Therefore, this study identified variability in the compressive, friction, and shear properties of a human tissue engineered cartilage constructs due to the chondrocyte source. Over 200 constructs were created from 7 different chondrocyte sources and tested using 3 distinct mechanical experiments. Under confined compression, the compressive properties (aggregate modulus and hydraulic permeability) varied by orders of magnitude due to the chondrocyte source. The friction coefficient changed by a factor of 5 due to the chondrocyte source and high intrapatient variability was noted. In contrast, the shear modulus was not affected by changes in the chondrocyte source. Finally, measurements on the local compressive and shear mechanics revealed variability in the depth dependent strain fields based on chondrocyte source. Since the chondrocyte source causes large amounts of variability in the compression and local mechanical properties of engineered cartilage, these mechanical properties may be important measures of manufacturing reproducibility. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Although the FDA recommends measuring mechanical properties of human tissue engineered cartilage constructs during manufacturing, the effect of manufacturing variability on construct mechanics is unknown. As one of the first studies to measure multiple mechanical properties on hundreds of human tissue engineered cartilage constructs, we found the compressive properties are most sensitive to changes in the autologous chondrocyte source, an inherently irregular manufacturing variable. This sensitivity to the autologous chondrocyte source reveals the compressive properties should be measured prior to implantation to assess manufacturing reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Middendorf
- Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Nicole Diamantides
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Byumsu Kim
- Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | | | | | - Eric Blahut
- Histogenics Corporation, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Itai Cohen
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Lawrence J Bonassar
- Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States; Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
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23
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Ebhodaghe SO. Natural Polymeric Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION 2021; 32:2144-2194. [PMID: 34328068 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2021.1958185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural polymeric scaffolds can be used for tissue engineering applications such as cell delivery and cell-free supporting of native tissues. This is because of their desirable properties such as; high biocompatibility, tunable mechanical strength and conductivity, large surface area, porous- and extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicked structures. Specifically, their less toxicity and biocompatibility makes them suitable for several tissue engineering applications. For these reasons, several biopolymeric scaffolds are currently being explored for numerous tissue engineering applications. To date, research on the nature, chemistry, and properties of nanocomposite biopolymers are been reported, while the need for a comprehensive research note on more tissue engineering application of these biopolymers remains. As a result, this present study comprehensively reviews the development of common natural biopolymers as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications such as cartilage tissue engineering, cornea repairs, osteochondral defect repairs, and nerve regeneration. More so, the implications of research findings for further studies are presented, while the impact of research advances on future research and other specific recommendations are added as well.
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24
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Ghadie NM, St-Pierre JP, Labrosse MR. The Contribution of Glycosaminoglycans/Proteoglycans to Aortic Mechanics in Health and Disease: A Critical Review. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 68:3491-3500. [PMID: 33872141 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3074053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
While elastin and collagen have received a lot of attention as major contributors to aortic biomechanics, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) recently emerged as additional key players whose roles must be better elucidated if one hopes to predict aortic ruptures caused by aneurysms and dissections more reliably. GAGs are highly negatively charged polysaccharide molecules that exist in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the arterial wall. In this critical review, we summarize the current understanding of the contributions of GAGs/PGs to the biomechanics of the normal aortic wall, as well as in the case of aortic diseases such as aneurysms and dissections. Specifically, we describe the fundamental swelling behavior of GAGs/PGs and discuss their contributions to residual stresses and aortic stiffness, thereby highlighting the importance of taking these polyanionic molecules into account in mathematical and numerical models of the aorta. We suggest specific lines of investigation to further the acquisition of experimental data to complement simulations and solidify our current understanding. We underscore different potential roles of GAGs/PGs in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Namely, we report findings according to which the accumulation of GAGs/PGs in TAAD causes stress concentrations which may be sufficient to initiate and propagate delamination. On the other hand, there seems to be no clear indication of a relationship between the marked reduction in GAG/PG content and the stiffening and weakening of the aortic wall in AAA.
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25
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Nelson BB, Stewart RC, Kawcak CE, Freedman JD, Patwa AN, Snyder BD, Goodrich LR, Grinstaff MW. Quantitative Evaluation of Equine Articular Cartilage Using Cationic Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography. Cartilage 2021; 12:211-221. [PMID: 33722083 PMCID: PMC7970376 DOI: 10.1177/1947603518812562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the diffusion trajectory of a cationic contrast medium (CA4+) into equine articular cartilage, and to assess normal and degenerative equine articular cartilage using cationic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). DESIGN In the first experiment (Exp1), equine osteochondral specimens were serially imaged with cationic CECT to establish the diffusion time constant and time to reach equilibrium in healthy articular cartilage. In a separate experiment (Exp2), articular cartilage defects were created on the femoral trochlea (defect joint) in a juvenile horse, while the opposite joint was a sham-operated control. After 7 weeks, osteochondral biopsies were collected throughout the articular surfaces of both joints. Biopsies were analyzed for cationic CECT attenuation, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, mechanical stiffness (Eeq), and histology. Imaging, biochemical and mechanical data were compared between defect and control joints. RESULTS Exp1: The mean diffusion time constant was longer for medial condyle cartilage (3.05 ± 0.1 hours) than lateral condyle cartilage (1.54 ± 0.3 hours, P = 0.04). Exp2: Cationic CECT attenuation was lower in the defect joint than the control joint (P = 0.005) and also varied by anatomic location (P = 0.045). Mean cationic CECT attenuation from the lateral trochlear ridge was lower in the defect joint than in the control joint (2223 ± 329 HU and 2667 ± 540 HU, respectively; P = 0.02). Cationic CECT attenuation was strongly correlated with both GAG (ρ = 0.79, P < 0.0001) and Eeq (ρ = 0.61, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The equilibration time of CA4+ into equine articular cartilage is affected by tissue volume. Quantitative cationic CECT imaging reflects the biochemical, biomechanical and histological state of normal and degenerative equine articular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jonathan D. Freedman
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Brian D. Snyder
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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26
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Morejon A, Norberg CD, De Rosa M, Best TM, Jackson AR, Travascio F. Compressive Properties and Hydraulic Permeability of Human Meniscus: Relationships With Tissue Structure and Composition. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:622552. [PMID: 33644008 PMCID: PMC7902918 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.622552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The meniscus is crucial in maintaining knee function and protecting the joint from secondary pathologies, including osteoarthritis. The meniscus has been shown to absorb up to 75% of the total load on the knee joint. Mechanical behavior of meniscal tissue in compression can be predicted by quantifying the mechanical parameters including; aggregate modulus (H) and Poisson modulus (ν), and the fluid transport parameter: hydraulic permeability (K). These parameters are crucial to develop a computational model of the tissue and for the design and development of tissue engineered scaffolds mimicking the native tissue. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterize the mechanical and fluid transport properties of human meniscus and relate them to the tissue composition. Specimens were prepared from the axial and the circumferential anatomical planes of the tissue. Stress relaxation tests yielded the H, while finite element modeling was used to curve fit for ν and K. Correlations of moduli with water and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) content were investigated. On average H was found to be 0.11 ± 0.078 MPa, ν was 0.32 ± 0.057, and K was 2.9 ± 2.27 × 10-15 m4N-1s-1. The parameters H, ν, and K were not found to be statistically different across compression orientation or compression level. Water content of the tissue was 77 ± 3.3% while GAG content was 8.79 ± 1.1%. Interestingly, a weak negative correlation was found between H and water content (R2 ~ 34%) and a positive correlation between K and GAG content (R2 ~ 53%). In conclusion, while no significant differences in transport and compressive properties can be found across sample orientation and compression levels, data trends suggest potential relationships between magnitudes of H and K, and GAG content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Morejon
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Christopher D Norberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Massimiliano De Rosa
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Thomas M Best
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.,UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Alicia R Jackson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Francesco Travascio
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.,Max Biedermann Institute for Biomechanics at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
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27
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McCreery KP, Xu X, Scott AK, Fajrial AK, Calve S, Ding X, Neu CP. Nuclear Stiffness Decreases with Disruption of the Extracellular Matrix in Living Tissues. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2006699. [PMID: 33470544 PMCID: PMC7891867 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Reciprocal interactions between the cell nucleus and the extracellular matrix lead to macroscale tissue phenotype changes. However, little is known about how the extracellular matrix environment affects gene expression and cellular phenotype in the native tissue environment. Here, it is hypothesized that enzymatic disruption of the tissue matrix results in a softer tissue, affecting the stiffness of embedded cell and nuclear structures. The aim is to directly measure nuclear mechanics without perturbing the native tissue structure to better understand nuclear interplay with the cell and tissue microenvironments. To accomplish this, an atomic force microscopy needle-tip probe technique that probes nuclear stiffness in cultured cells to measure the nuclear envelope and cell membrane stiffness within native tissue is expanded. This technique is validated by imaging needle penetration and subsequent repair of the plasma and nuclear membranes of HeLa cells stably expressing the membrane repair protein CHMP4B-GFP. In the native tissue environment ex vivo, it is found that while enzymatic degradation of viable cartilage tissues with collagenase 3 (MMP-13) and aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS-4) decreased tissue matrix stiffness, cell and nuclear membrane stiffness is also decreased. Finally, the capability for cell and nucleus elastography using the AFM needle-tip technique is demonstrated. These results demonstrate disruption of the native tissue environment that propagates to the plasma membrane and interior nuclear envelope structures of viable cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin P. McCreery
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Adrienne K. Scott
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Apresio K. Fajrial
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sarah Calve
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Corey P. Neu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Address correspondence to
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28
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Chery DR, Han B, Zhou Y, Wang C, Adams SM, Chandrasekaran P, Kwok B, Heo SJ, Enomoto-Iwamoto M, Lu XL, Kong D, Iozzo RV, Birk DE, Mauck RL, Han L. Decorin regulates cartilage pericellular matrix micromechanobiology. Matrix Biol 2020; 96:1-17. [PMID: 33246102 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In cartilage tissue engineering, one key challenge is for regenerative tissue to recapitulate the biomechanical functions of native cartilage while maintaining normal mechanosensitive activities of chondrocytes. Thus, it is imperative to discern the micromechanobiological functions of the pericellular matrix, the ~ 2-4 µm-thick domain that is in immediate contact with chondrocytes. In this study, we discovered that decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, is a key determinant of cartilage pericellular matrix micromechanics and chondrocyte mechanotransduction in vivo. The pericellular matrix of decorin-null murine cartilage developed reduced content of aggrecan, the major chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan of cartilage and a mild increase in collagen II fibril diameter vis-à-vis wild-type controls. As a result, decorin-null pericellular matrix showed a significant reduction in micromodulus, which became progressively more pronounced with maturation. In alignment with the defects of pericellular matrix, decorin-null chondrocytes exhibited decreased intracellular calcium activities, [Ca2+]i, in both physiologic and osmotically evoked fluidic environments in situ, illustrating impaired chondrocyte mechanotransduction. Next, we compared [Ca2+]i activities of wild-type and decorin-null chondrocytes following enzymatic removal of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans. The results showed that decorin mediates chondrocyte mechanotransduction primarily through regulating the integrity of aggrecan network, and thus, aggrecan-endowed negative charge microenvironment in the pericellular matrix. Collectively, our results provide robust genetic and biomechanical evidence that decorin is an essential constituent of the native cartilage matrix, and suggest that modulating decorin activities could improve cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphney R Chery
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Biao Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Sheila M Adams
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani School of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, United States
| | - Prashant Chandrasekaran
- 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
| | - Su-Jin Heo
- 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
| | - Motomi Enomoto-Iwamoto
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - X Lucas Lu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Dehan Kong
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada
| | - Renato V Iozzo
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
| | - David E Birk
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani School of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, 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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29
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Selig M, Lauer JC, Hart ML, Rolauffs B. Mechanotransduction and Stiffness-Sensing: Mechanisms and Opportunities to Control Multiple Molecular Aspects of Cell Phenotype as a Design Cornerstone of Cell-Instructive Biomaterials for Articular Cartilage Repair. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5399. [PMID: 32751354 PMCID: PMC7432012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since material stiffness controls many cell functions, we reviewed the currently available knowledge on stiffness sensing and elucidated what is known in the context of clinical and experimental articular cartilage (AC) repair. Remarkably, no stiffness information on the various biomaterials for clinical AC repair was accessible. Using mRNA expression profiles and morphology as surrogate markers of stiffness-related effects, we deduced that the various clinically available biomaterials control chondrocyte (CH) phenotype well, but not to equal extents, and only in non-degenerative settings. Ample evidence demonstrates that multiple molecular aspects of CH and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) phenotype are susceptible to material stiffness, because proliferation, migration, lineage determination, shape, cytoskeletal properties, expression profiles, cell surface receptor composition, integrin subunit expression, and nuclear shape and composition of CHs and/or MSCs are stiffness-regulated. Moreover, material stiffness modulates MSC immuno-modulatory and angiogenic properties, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced lineage determination, and CH re-differentiation/de-differentiation, collagen type II fragment production, and TGF-β1- and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-induced changes in cell stiffness and traction force. We then integrated the available molecular signaling data into a stiffness-regulated CH phenotype model. Overall, we recommend using material stiffness for controlling cell phenotype, as this would be a promising design cornerstone for novel future-oriented, cell-instructive biomaterials for clinical high-quality AC repair tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa Selig
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin C. Lauer
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie L. Hart
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Bernd Rolauffs
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
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30
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Dusfour G, Maumus M, Cañadas P, Ambard D, Jorgensen C, Noël D, Le Floc'h S. Mesenchymal stem cells-derived cartilage micropellets: A relevant in vitro model for biomechanical and mechanobiological studies of cartilage growth. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 112:110808. [PMID: 32409025 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.110808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of diseases that affect the articular cartilage is increasing due to population ageing, but the current treatments are only palliative. One innovative approach to repair cartilage defects is tissue engineering and the use of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Although the combination of MSCs with biocompatible scaffolds has been extensively investigated, no product is commercially available yet. This could be explained by the lack of mechanical stimulation during in vitro culture and the absence of proper and stable cartilage matrix formation, leading to poor integration after implantation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the biomechanical behaviour of MSC differentiation in micropellets, a well-defined 3D in vitro model of cartilage differentiation and growth, in view of tissue engineering applications. MSC micropellet chondrogenic differentiation was induced by exposure to TGFβ3. At different time points during differentiation (35 days of culture), their global mechanical properties were assessed using a very sensitive compression device coupled to an identification procedure based on a finite element parametric model. Micropellets displayed both a non-linear strain-induced stiffening behaviour and a dissipative behaviour that increased from day 14 to day 29, with a maximum instantaneous Young's modulus of 179.9 ± 18.8 kPa. Moreover, chondrocyte gene expression levels were strongly correlated with the observed mechanical properties. This study indicates that cartilage micropellets display the biochemical and biomechanical characteristics required for investigating and recapitulating the different stages of cartilage development.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Dusfour
- LMGC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - M Maumus
- IRMB, Univ. Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hopital Lapeyronie, Clinical Immunology and Osteoarticular Diseases Therapeutic Unit, Montpellier, France
| | - P Cañadas
- LMGC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - D Ambard
- LMGC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - C Jorgensen
- IRMB, Univ. Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hopital Lapeyronie, Clinical Immunology and Osteoarticular Diseases Therapeutic Unit, Montpellier, France
| | - D Noël
- IRMB, Univ. Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Hopital Lapeyronie, Clinical Immunology and Osteoarticular Diseases Therapeutic Unit, Montpellier, France
| | - S Le Floc'h
- LMGC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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Evaluation of alginate modification effect on cell-matrix interaction, mechanotransduction and chondrogenesis of encapsulated MSCs. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 381:255-272. [PMID: 32405685 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03216-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising cell candidates for cartilage regeneration. Furthermore, it is important to control the cell-matrix interactions that have a direct influence on cell functions. Providing an appropriate microenvironment for cell differentiation in response to exogenous stimuli is a critical step towards the clinical utilization of MSCs. In this study, hydrogels consisted of different proportions of alginates that were modified using gelatin, collagen type I and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) and were evaluated regarding their effects on mesenchymal stem cells. The effect of applying hydrostatic pressure on MSCs encapsulated in collagen-modified alginate with and without chondrogenic medium was evaluated 7, 14 and 21 days after culture, which is a comprehensive evaluation of chondrogenesis in 3D hydrogels with mechanical and chemical stimulants. Alcian blue, safranin O and dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB) staining showed the chondrogenic phenotype of cells seeded in the collagen- and RGD-modified alginate hydrogels with the highest intensity after 21 days of culture. The results of real-time PCR for cartilage-specific extracellular matrix genes indicated the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in all hydrogels. Also, the synergic effects of chemical and mechanical stimuli are indicated. The highest expression levels of the studied genes were observed in the cells embedded in collagen-modified alginate by loading after 14 days of exposure to the chondrogenic medium. The effect of using IHP on encapsulated MSCs in modified alginate with collagen type I is equal or even higher than using TGF-beta on encapsulated cells. The results of immunohistochemical assessments also confirmed the real-time PCR data.
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McCreery KP, Calve S, Neu CP. Ontogeny informs regeneration: explant models to investigate the role of the extracellular matrix in cartilage tissue assembly and development. Connect Tissue Res 2020; 61:278-291. [PMID: 32186210 PMCID: PMC7190409 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2019.1698556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is typically managed in late stages by replacement of the articular cartilage surface with a prosthesis as an effective, though undesirable outcome. As an alternative, hydrogel implants or growth factor treatments are currently of great interest in the tissue engineering community, and scaffold materials are often designed to emulate the mechanical and chemical composition of mature extracellular matrix (ECM) tissue. However, scaffolds frequently fail to capture the structure and organization of cartilage. Additionally, many current scaffold designs do not mimic processes by which structurally sound cartilage is formed during musculoskeletal development. The objective of this review is to highlight methods that investigate cartilage ontogenesis with native and model systems in the context of regenerative medicine. Specific emphasis is placed on the use of cartilage explant cultures that provide a physiologically relevant microenvironment to study tissue assembly and development. Ex vivo cartilage has proven to be a cost-effective and accessible model system that allows researchers to control the culture conditions and stimuli and perform proteomics and imaging studies that are not easily possible using in vivo experiments, while preserving native cell-matrix interactions. We anticipate our review will promote a developmental biology approach using explanted tissues to guide cartilage tissue engineering and inform new treatment methods for OA and joint damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Calve
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Corey P. Neu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
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Middendorf JM, Dugopolski C, Kennedy S, Blahut E, Cohen I, Bonassar LJ. Heterogeneous matrix deposition in human tissue engineered cartilage changes the local shear modulus and resistance to local construct buckling. J Biomech 2020; 105:109760. [PMID: 32276782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human tissue engineered cartilage is a promising solution for focal cartilage defects, but these constructs do not have the same local mechanical properties as native tissue. Most clinically relevant engineered cartilage constructs seed human chondrocytes onto a collagen scaffold, which buckles at low loads and strains. This buckling creates local regions of high strain that could cause cell death and damage the engineered tissue. Since human tissue engineered cartilage is commonly grown in-vivo prior to implantation, new matrix deposition could improve the local implant mechanics and prevent local tissue buckling. However, the relationship between local biochemical composition and the local mechanics or local buckling probability has never been quantified. Therefore, this study correlated the local biochemical composition of human tissue engineered cartilage constructs using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with the local shear modulus and local buckling probability. The local shear modulus and local buckling probability were obtained using a confocal elastography technique. The local shear modulus increased with increases in local aggrecan content in the interior region (inside the scaffold). A minimum amount of aggrecan was required to prevent local construct buckling at physiologic strains. Since the original scaffold was primarily composed of collagen, increases in collagen content due to new matrix deposition was minimal and had little effect on the mechanical properties. Thus, we concluded that aggrecan deposition inside the scaffold pores is the most effective way to improve the mechanical function and prevent local tissue damage in human tissue engineered cartilage constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Middendorf
- Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Itai Cohen
- Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence J Bonassar
- Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Wang C, Brisson BK, Terajima M, Li Q, Hoxha K, Han B, Goldberg AM, Sherry Liu X, Marcolongo MS, Enomoto-Iwamoto M, Yamauchi M, Volk SW, Han L. Type III collagen is a key regulator of the collagen fibrillar structure and biomechanics of articular cartilage and meniscus. Matrix Biol 2019; 85-86:47-67. [PMID: 31655293 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that type III collagen is the second most abundant collagen type in the body, its contribution to the physiologic maintenance and repair of skeletal tissues remains poorly understood. This study queried the role of type III collagen in the structure and biomechanical functions of two structurally distinctive tissues in the knee joint, type II collagen-rich articular cartilage and type I collagen-dominated meniscus. Integrating outcomes from atomic force microscopy-based nanomechanical tests, collagen fibril nanostructural analysis, collagen cross-link analysis and histology, we elucidated the impact of type III collagen haplodeficiency on the morphology, nanostructure and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage and meniscus in Col3a1+/- mice. Reduction of type III collagen leads to increased heterogeneity and mean thickness of collagen fibril diameter, as well as reduced modulus in both tissues, and these effects became more pronounced with skeletal maturation. These data suggest a crucial role of type III collagen in mediating fibril assembly and biomechanical functions of both articular cartilage and meniscus during post-natal growth. In articular cartilage, type III collagen has a marked contribution to the micromechanics of the pericellular matrix, indicating a potential role in mediating the early stage of type II collagen fibrillogenesis and chondrocyte mechanotransduction. In both tissues, reduction of type III collagen leads to decrease in tissue modulus despite the increase in collagen cross-linking. This suggests that the disruption of matrix structure due to type III collagen deficiency outweighs the stiffening of collagen fibrils by increased cross-linking, leading to a net negative impact on tissue modulus. Collectively, this study is the first to highlight the crucial structural role of type III collagen in both articular cartilage and meniscus extracellular matrices. We expect these results to expand our understanding of type III collagen across various tissue types, and to uncover critical molecular components of the microniche for regenerative strategies targeting articular cartilage and meniscus repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Becky K Brisson
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Masahiko Terajima
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Qing Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Kevt'her Hoxha
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Biao Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Abby M Goldberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - X Sherry Liu
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Michele S Marcolongo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Motomi Enomoto-Iwamoto
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
| | - Mitsuo Yamauchi
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States
| | - Susan W Volk
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, 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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Han B, Li Q, Wang C, Patel P, Adams SM, Doyran B, Nia HT, Oftadeh R, Zhou S, Li CY, Liu XS, Lu XL, Enomoto-Iwamoto M, Qin L, Mauck RL, Iozzo RV, Birk DE, Han L. Decorin Regulates the Aggrecan Network Integrity and Biomechanical Functions of Cartilage Extracellular Matrix. ACS NANO 2019; 13:11320-11333. [PMID: 31550133 PMCID: PMC6892632 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b04477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Joint biomechanical functions rely on the integrity of cartilage extracellular matrix. Understanding the molecular activities that govern cartilage matrix assembly is critical for developing effective cartilage regeneration strategies. This study elucidated the role of decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, in the structure and biomechanical functions of cartilage. In decorin-null cartilage, we discovered a substantial reduction of aggrecan content, the major proteoglycan of cartilage matrix, and mild changes in collagen fibril nanostructure. This loss of aggrecan resulted in significantly impaired biomechanical properties of cartilage, including decreased modulus, elevated hydraulic permeability, and reduced energy dissipation capabilities. At the cellular level, we found that decorin functions to increase the retention of aggrecan in the neo-matrix of chondrocytes, rather than to directly influence the biosynthesis of aggrecan. At the molecular level, we demonstrated that decorin significantly increases the adhesion between aggrecan and aggrecan molecules and between aggrecan molecules and collagen II fibrils. We hypothesize that decorin plays a crucial structural role in mediating the matrix integrity and biomechanical functions of cartilage by providing physical linkages to increase the adhesion and assembly of aggrecan molecules at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Qing Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Pavan Patel
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Sheila M. Adams
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani School of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Basak Doyran
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Hadi T. Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Ramin Oftadeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Siyuan Zhou
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Christopher Y. Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - X. Sherry Liu
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - X. Lucas Lu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Motomi Enomoto-Iwamoto
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Ling Qin
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Robert L. Mauck
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Renato V. Iozzo
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - David E. Birk
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani School of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Lin Han
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Riemenschneider PE, Rose MD, Giordani M, McNary SM. Compressive fatigue and endurance of juvenile bovine articular cartilage explants. J Biomech 2019; 95:109304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Suo H, Li L, Zhang C, Yin J, Xu K, Liu J, Fu J. Glucosamine‐grafted methacrylated gelatin hydrogels as potential biomaterials for cartilage repair. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2019; 108:990-999. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hairui Suo
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
- School of AutomationHangzhou Dianzi University Hangzhou China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of OrthopedicsNo. 906 Hospital of People's Liberation Army Ningbo China
| | - Chuanxin Zhang
- Adult Joint Reconstruction and Sports Medicine Center, Department of Orthopaedics, Changzheng HospitalSecond Military Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Jun Yin
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Kedi Xu
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies (QAAS)Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education MinistryZhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Jingyi Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Jianzhong Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
- Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical EngineeringZhejiang University Hangzhou China
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Brown WE, DuRaine GD, Hu JC, Athanasiou KA. Structure-function relationships of fetal ovine articular cartilage. Acta Biomater 2019; 87:235-244. [PMID: 30716555 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.01.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is crucial that the properties of engineered neocartilage match healthy native cartilage to promote the functional restoration of damaged cartilage. To accurately assess the quality of neocartilage and the degree of biomimicry achieved, its properties must be evaluated against native cartilage and tissue from which the cells for neocartilage formation were sourced. Fetal ovine cartilage is a promising and translationally relevant cell source with which to engineer neocartilage, yet, it is largely non-characterized. The influence of biomechanics during cartilage development, as well as their potential impact on structure-function relationships in utero motivates additional study of fetal cartilage. Toward providing tissue engineering design criteria and elucidating structure-function relationships, 11 locations across four regions of the fetal ovine stifle were characterized. Locational and regional differences were found to exist. Although differences in GAG content were observed, compressive stiffness did not vary or correlate with any biochemical component. Patellar cartilage tensile stiffness and strength were significantly greater than those of the medial condyle. Tensile modulus and UTS significantly correlated with pyridinoline content. More advanced zonal organization, more intense collagen II staining, and greater collagen and pyridinoline contents in the trochlear groove and patella suggest these regions exhibit a more advanced maturational state than others. Regional differences in functional properties and their correlations suggest that structure-function relationships emerge in utero. These data address the dearth of information of the fetal ovine stifle, may serve as a repository of information for cartilage engineering strategies, and may help elucidate functional adaptation in fetal articular cartilage. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Engineered neocartilage must be evaluated against healthy native cartilage and cell source tissue to determine its quality and degree of biomimicry. While fetal ovine cartilage has emerged as a promising and translationally relevant cell source with which to engineer neocartilage, it is largely non-characterized. Therefore, 11 locations across four regions (medial condyle, lateral condyle, trochlear groove, and patella) of the fetal ovine stifle were characterized. Importantly, locational and regional differences in functional properties were observed, and significant correlations of tensile properties to collagen and crosslink contents were detected, suggesting that functional adaptation begins in utero. This study provides a repository of quantitative information, clarifies the developmental order of cartilage functional properties, and informs future cartilage engineering efforts.
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Kwon H, O'Leary SA, Hu JC, Athanasiou KA. Translating the application of transforming growth factor-β1, chondroitinase-ABC, and lysyl oxidase-like 2 for mechanically robust tissue-engineered human neocartilage. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 13:283-294. [PMID: 30557915 DOI: 10.1002/term.2791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Strategies to overcome the limited availability of human articular chondrocytes and their tendency to dedifferentiate during expansion are required to advance their clinical use and to engineer functional cartilage on par with native articular cartilage. This work sought to determine whether a biochemical factor (transforming growth factor-β1 [T]), a biophysical agent (chondroitinase-ABC [C]), and a collagen crosslinking enzyme (lysyl oxidase-like 2 [L]) are efficacious in forming three-dimensional human neocartilage from expanded human articular chondrocytes. Among the treatment regimens, the combination of the three stimuli (TCL treatment) led to the most robust glycosaminoglycan content, total collagen content, and type II collagen production. In particular, TCL treatment synergistically increased tensile stiffness and strength of human neocartilage by 3.5-fold and 3-fold, respectively, over controls. Applied to two additional donors, the beneficial effects of TCL treatment appear to be donor independent; tensile stiffness and strength were increased by up to 8.5-fold and 3-fold, respectively, over controls. The maturation of human neocartilage in response to TCL treatment was examined following 5 and 8 weeks of culture, demonstrating maintenance or further enhancement of functional properties. The present study identifies a novel strategy for engineering human articular cartilage using serially passaged chondrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heenam Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | | | - Jerry C Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Kyriacos A Athanasiou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
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Zevenbergen L, Gsell W, Cai L, Chan DD, Famaey N, Vander Sloten J, Himmelreich U, Neu CP, Jonkers I. Cartilage-on-cartilage contact: effect of compressive loading on tissue deformations and structural integrity of bovine articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2018; 26:1699-1709. [PMID: 30172835 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to characterize the deformations in articular cartilage under compressive loading and link these to changes in the extracellular matrix constituents described by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxation times in an experimental model mimicking in vivo cartilage-on-cartilage contact. DESIGN Quantitative MRI images, T1, T2 and T1ρ relaxation times, were acquired at 9.4T from bovine femoral osteochondral explants before and immediately after loading. Two-dimensional intra-tissue displacement and strain fields under cyclic compressive loading (350N) were measured using the displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) method. Changes in relaxation times in response to loading were evaluated against the deformation fields. RESULTS Deformation fields showed consistent patterns among all specimens, with maximal strains at the articular surface that decrease with tissue depth. Axial and transverse strains were maximal around the center of the contact region, whereas shear strains were minimal around the contact center but increased towards contact edges. A decrease in T2 and T1ρ was observed immediately after loading whereas the opposite was observed for T1. No correlations between cartilage deformation patterns and changes in relaxation times were observed. CONCLUSIONS Displacement encoding combined with relaxometry by MRI can noninvasively monitor the cartilage biomechanical and biochemical properties associated with loading. The deformation fields reveal complex patterns reflecting the depth-dependent mechanical properties, but intra-tissue deformation under compressive loading does not correlate with structural and compositional changes. The compacting effect of cyclic compression on the cartilage tissue was revealed by the change in relaxation time immediately after loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zevenbergen
- Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - W Gsell
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - L Cai
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - D D Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
| | - N Famaey
- Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - J Vander Sloten
- Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - U Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - C P Neu
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado, USA.
| | - I Jonkers
- Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Rexwinkle JT, Werner NC, Stoker AM, Salim M, Pfeiffer FM. Investigating the relationship between proteomic, compositional, and histologic biomarkers and cartilage biomechanics using artificial neural networks. J Biomech 2018; 80:136-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Ruiz Wills C, Foata B, González Ballester MÁ, Karppinen J, Noailly J. Theoretical Explorations Generate New Hypotheses About the Role of the Cartilage Endplate in Early Intervertebral Disk Degeneration. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1210. [PMID: 30283342 PMCID: PMC6156535 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered cell nutrition in the intervertebral disk (IVD) is considered a main cause for disk degeneration (DD). The cartilage endplate (CEP) provides a major path for the diffusion of nutrients from the peripheral vasculature to the IVD nucleus pulposus (NP). In DD, sclerosis of the adjacent bony endplate is suggested to be responsible for decreased diffusion and disk cell nutrition. Yet, experimental evidence does not support this hypothesis. Hence, we evaluated how moderate CEP composition changes related to tissue degeneration can affect disk nutrition and cell viability. A novel composition-based permeability formulation was developed for the CEP, calibrated, validated, and used in a mechano-transport finite element IVD model. Fixed solute concentrations were applied at the outer surface of the annulus and the CEP, and three cycles of daily mechanical load were simulated. The CEP model indicated that CEP permeability increases with the degeneration/aging of the tissue, in accordance with recent measurements reported in the literature. Additionally, our results showed that CEP degeneration might be responsible for mechanical load-induced NP dehydration, which locally affects oxygen and lactate levels, and reduced glucose concentration by 16% in the NP-annulus transition zone. Remarkably, CEP degeneration was a condition sine-qua-non to provoke cell starvation and death, while simulating the effect of extracellular matrix depletion in DD. This theoretical study cast doubts about the paradigm that CEP calcification is needed to provoke cell starvation, and suggests an alternative path for DD whereby the early degradation of the CEP plays a key role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ruiz Wills
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Baptiste Foata
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Á González Ballester
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaro Karppinen
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Center for Life Course Health Research, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jérôme Noailly
- BCN MedTech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
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Jeznach O, Kołbuk D, Sajkiewicz P. Injectable hydrogels and nanocomposite hydrogels for cartilage regeneration. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 106:2762-2776. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia Jeznach
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences; Pawinskiego 5BWarsaw, 02‐106 Poland
| | - Dorota Kołbuk
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences; Pawinskiego 5BWarsaw, 02‐106 Poland
| | - Pawe Sajkiewicz
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences; Pawinskiego 5BWarsaw, 02‐106 Poland
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Composition, structure and tensile biomechanical properties of equine articular cartilage during growth and maturation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11357. [PMID: 30054498 PMCID: PMC6063957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Articular cartilage undergoes structural and biochemical changes during maturation, but the knowledge on how these changes relate to articular cartilage function at different stages of maturation is lacking. Equine articular cartilage samples of four different maturation levels (newborn, 5-month-old, 11-month-old and adult) were collected (N = 25). Biomechanical tensile testing, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR-MS) and polarized light microscopy were used to study the tensile, biochemical and structural properties of articular cartilage, respectively. The tensile modulus was highest and the breaking energy lowest in the newborn group. The collagen and the proteoglycan contents increased with age. The collagen orientation developed with age into an arcade-like orientation. The collagen content, proteoglycan content, and collagen orientation were important predictors of the tensile modulus (p < 0.05 in multivariable regression) and correlated significantly also with the breaking energy (p < 0.05 in multivariable regression). Partial least squares regression analysis of FTIR-MS data provided accurate predictions for the tensile modulus (r = 0.79) and the breaking energy (r = 0.65). To conclude, the composition and structure of equine articular cartilage undergoes changes with depth that alter functional properties during maturation, with the typical properties of mature tissue reached at the age of 5-11 months.
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Suo H, Zhang D, Yin J, Qian J, Wu ZL, Fu J. Interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels composed of chitosan and photocrosslinkable gelatin with enhanced mechanical properties for tissue engineering. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2018; 92:612-620. [PMID: 30184788 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Gelatin and chitosan (CS) are widely used natural biomaterials for tissue engineering scaffolds, but the poor mechanical properties of pure gelatin or CS hydrogels become a big obstacle that limits their use as scaffolds, especially in load-bearing tissues. This study provided a novel mechanism of forming interpenetrating network (IPN) of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and CS hydrogels by covalent bonds and hydrophobic interactions through photocrosslinking and basification, respectively. By characterization of the compressive and tensile moduli, ultimate tensile stress and strain, it was found that semi-IPN and IPN structure can greatly enhance the mechanical properties of GelMA-CS hydrogels compared to the single network CS or GelMA. Moreover, the increase of either GelMA or CS concentration can strengthen the hydrogel network. Then, the swelling, enzymatic degradation, and morphology of GelMA-CS hydrogels were also systematically investigated. The excellent biocompatibility of GelMA-CS hydrogels was demonstrated by large spreading area of bone mesenchymal stem cells on hydrogel surfaces when CS concentration was <2% (w/v). According to this study, the multiple requirements of properties can be fulfilled by carefully selecting the GelMA and CS compositions for IPN hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairui Suo
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Deming Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jun Yin
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Jin Qian
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Zi Liang Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Jianzhong Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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47
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Mediouni M, R Schlatterer D, Madry H, Cucchiarini M, Rai B. A review of translational medicine. The future paradigm: how can we connect the orthopedic dots better? Curr Med Res Opin 2018; 34:1217-1229. [PMID: 28952378 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2017.1385450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with complex medical and surgical problems often travel great distances to prestigious university medical centers in search of solutions and in some cases for nothing more than a diagnosis of their condition. Translational medicine (TM) is an emerging method and process of facilitating medical advances efficiently from the scientist to the clinician. Most established clinicians and those in training know very little about this new discipline. The purpose of this article is to illustrate TM in varied scientific, medical and surgical fields. MATERIALS AND METHODS Anecdotal events in medicine and orthopaedics based upon a practicing orthopaedic surgeon's training and clinical experience are presented. RESULTS TM is rapidly assuming a greater presence in the medical community. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recognizes this discipline and has funded TM projects. Numerous institutions in Europe and the USA offer advanced degrees in TM. Finally there is a European Society for Translational Medicine (EUTMS), an International Society for Translational Medicine, and an Academy of Translational Medical Professionals (ATMP). DISCUSSION The examples of TM presented in this article support the argument for the formation of more TM networks on the local and regional levels. The need for increased participation of researchers and clinicians requires further study to identify the economic and social impact of TM. CONCLUSIONS The examples of TM presented in this article support the argument for the formation of more TM networks on the local and regional levels. Financial constraints for TM can be overcome by pooling government, academic, private, and industry resources in an organized fashion with oversight by a lead TM researcher.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Henning Madry
- c Saarland University Medical Center , Homburg , Germany
| | | | - Balwant Rai
- d JBR Health Education and Research Organization , Copenhagen , Denmark
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48
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Urbanek O, Kołbuk D, Wróbel M. Articular cartilage: New directions and barriers of scaffolds development – review. INT J POLYM MATER PO 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00914037.2018.1452224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Urbanek
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Kołbuk
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mikołaj Wróbel
- Ortopedika – Centre for Specialized Surgery, Warsaw, Poland
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49
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Salinas EY, Hu JC, Athanasiou K. A Guide for Using Mechanical Stimulation to Enhance Tissue-Engineered Articular Cartilage Properties. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2018; 24:345-358. [PMID: 29562835 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2018.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The use of tissue-engineered articular cartilage (TEAC) constructs has the potential to become a powerful treatment option for cartilage lesions resulting from trauma or early stages of pathology. Although fundamental tissue-engineering strategies based on the use of scaffolds, cells, and signals have been developed, techniques that lead to biomimetic AC constructs that can be translated to in vivo use are yet to be fully confirmed. Mechanical stimulation during tissue culture can be an effective strategy to enhance the mechanical, structural, and cellular properties of tissue-engineered constructs toward mimicking those of native AC. This review focuses on the use of mechanical stimulation to attain and enhance the properties of AC constructs needed to translate these implants to the clinic. In vivo, mechanical loading at maximal and supramaximal physiological levels has been shown to be detrimental to AC through the development of degenerative changes. In contrast, multiple studies have revealed that during culture, mechanical stimulation within narrow ranges of magnitude and duration can produce anisotropic, mechanically robust AC constructs with high cellular viability. Significant progress has been made in evaluating a variety of mechanical stimulation techniques on TEAC, either alone or in combination with other stimuli. These advancements include determining and optimizing efficacious loading parameters (e.g., duration and frequency) to yield improvements in construct design criteria, such as collagen II content, compressive stiffness, cell viability, and fiber organization. With the advancement of mechanical stimulation as a potent strategy in AC tissue engineering, a compendium detailing the results achievable by various stimulus regimens would be of great use for researchers in academia and industry. The objective is to list the qualitative and quantitative effects that can be attained when direct compression, hydrostatic pressure, shear, and tensile loading are used to tissue-engineer AC. Our goal is to provide a practical guide to their use and optimization of loading parameters. For each loading condition, we will also present and discuss benefits and limitations of bioreactor configurations that have been used. The intent is for this review to serve as a reference for including mechanical stimulation strategies as part of AC construct culture regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelia Y Salinas
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California , Irvine, California
| | - Jerry C Hu
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California , Irvine, California
| | - Kyriacos Athanasiou
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California , Irvine, California
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50
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Kleinhans KL, Jackson AR. Hydraulic permeability of meniscus fibrocartilage measured via direct permeation: Effects of tissue anisotropy, water volume content, and compressive strain. J Biomech 2018; 72:215-221. [PMID: 29605083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hydraulic permeability is an important material property of cartilaginous tissues, governing the rate of fluid flow, which is crucial to tissue biomechanics and cellular nutrition. The effects of strain, anisotropy, and region on the hydraulic permeability in meniscus tissue have not been fully elucidated. Using a one-dimensional direct permeation test, we measured the hydraulic permeability within statically compressed porcine meniscus specimens, prepared such that the explants were in either the axial or circumferential direction of either the central or horn (axial direction only) region of the medial and lateral menisci. A constant flow was applied and the pressure difference was measured using pressure transducers. Specimens were tested under 10-20% compressive strain. Permeability values were in the range of 1.53-1.87 × 10-15 m4/Ns, which is comparable to values found in the literature. Permeability was significantly anisotropic, being higher in the circumferential direction than in the axial direction. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between strain level and permeability for all groups. Lastly, no statistically significant difference was found between permeability coefficients from different regional locations. This study provides important information regarding structure-function relationships in meniscal tissues that helps to elucidate biomechanics and transport in the tissue, and can aid in the understanding of the tissue's role in the function of the knee joint and onset of osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Kleinhans
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Alicia R Jackson
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
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