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Mechanical Stimulation of Chondrocyte-agarose Hydrogels
Published on: October 27, 2012
Biochemical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage
Andrew K Pappa1, Montserrat Caballero, Robert G Dennis
1From the Departments of *Surgery, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, †Biomedical Engineering, and ‡Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and §Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Tissue-engineered (TE) cartilage shows promise for microtia reconstruction, mimicking native ear flexibility by expressing key proteins like elastin and fibrillin I. This research compares TE cartilage to human tissues, identifying strategies for improved TE cartilage development.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Microtia reconstruction currently uses rib cartilage grafts, which lack the flexibility of native ear cartilage.
- Tissue-engineered (TE) cartilage offers potential for improved reconstructive materials but often suffers from calcification and loss of flexibility.
- Key biochemical components for flexible TE cartilage include increased elastin and maintained collagen II, with reduced collagen X and prevention of calcification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the biochemical properties of human native cartilage with TE cartilage derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs).
- To establish a baseline for developing clinically viable TE elastic cartilage.
- To identify strategies for enhancing flexibility and preventing calcification in TE cartilage implants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of collagen I, II, X, calcium, glycosaminoglycans, elastin, and fibrillin I and III in discarded human cartilage (conchal bowl, microtic ears, rib) and TE cartilage.
- Chondroinduction of human UCMSCs on 2D surfaces and 3D D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) fibers to create TE cartilage.
Main Results:
- TE cartilage and auricular cartilage showed similar staining for elastin and fibrillin I.
- TE cartilage exclusively stained for fibrillin III, a protein associated with embryonic development.
- Microtic cartilage samples exhibited positive staining for calcium, unlike other native and TE cartilage types.
Conclusions:
- TE cartilage demonstrates comparable levels of elastin, fibrillin I, and collagens I and X to native cartilage.
- The presence of calcium in microtic cartilage suggests it may not be an ideal cell source for TE cartilage.
- The expression of fibrillin III in TE cartilage may offer a method to control its phenotypic development and enhance elasticity.
