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Formation of biphasic constructs containing cartilage with a calcified zone interface.
K S Allan1, R M Pilliar, J Wang
1CIHR BioEngineering of Skeletal Tissues Team, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tissue Engineering
|May 24, 2007
Summary
Researchers created a biphasic construct mimicking calcified cartilage. This engineered tissue showed improved stiffness and shear strength, highlighting the importance of a mineralized zone for cartilage repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Orthopedic Research
Background:
- The zone of calcified cartilage is crucial for anchoring hyaline cartilage to subchondral bone and dispersing mechanical forces.
- Mimicking the zonal organization of native cartilage is a key challenge in tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a biphasic construct with a mineralized interface to mimic the native calcified cartilage zone.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties of the engineered cartilage construct.
Main Methods:
- Chondrocytes from bovine articular cartilage were cultured on porous calcium polyphosphate (CPP) with beta-glycerophosphate (beta-GP).
- The formation of a mineralized interface and cartilaginous tissue was assessed over 8 weeks.
- Mechanical testing, including stiffness and interfacial shear properties, was performed.
Main Results:
- A biphasic construct with a calcified zone (hydroxyapatite) and a hyaline-like zone was successfully formed in vitro.
- Mineralization was dependent on the presence of beta-GP.
- The engineered cartilage with a mineralized zone exhibited significantly greater stiffness and interfacial shear strength compared to non-mineralized tissue.
Conclusions:
- The development of a biphasic construct with a mineralized interface significantly enhances cartilage load-bearing and shear strength properties.
- The mineralized zone is critical for improving the mechanical performance of bioengineered cartilage.
- Further optimization is needed to fully replicate native osteochondral tissue mechanics and failure modes.
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