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Treatment of Osteochondral Defects in the Rabbit's Knee Joint by Implantation of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Fibrin Clots
Published on: May 21, 2013
Spatial Engineering of Osteochondral Tissue Constructs Through Microfluidically Directed Differentiation of
Stephen M Goldman1, Gilda A Barabino2
1Interdisciplinary Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.; G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
This study developed a novel method for engineering osteochondral tissue using a single cell source and microfluidics. This approach enables controlled differentiation of cartilage and bone, paving the way for better tissue regeneration strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Recapitulating the heterogeneous nature of osteochondral tissue ex vivo presents significant technical challenges.
- Variability in cell sourcing, scaffolding, and culture media has hindered consensus bioprocessing strategies for osteochondral tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To standardize the design of engineered osteochondral units.
- To differentially support cartilaginous and bony matrix formation from a single cell source within a single material system.
- To achieve spatial control over tissue development using a microfluidic system.
Main Methods:
- A single cell source (bovine mesenchymal stem cells) and agarose were used to create tissue constructs.
- Micromolds with serpentine networks were employed to create dual microfluidic channels within the constructs.
- Constructs were connected to independent flow loops for controlled chondrogenic and osteogenic induction.
Main Results:
- Inductive media resulted in differential gene and protein expression of chondrogenic and osteogenic markers along the construct thickness.
- Collagen types I, II, and X expression patterns confirmed spatially controlled differentiation.
- Control constructs with non-inductive media showed homogeneous, lower-level biomarker expression.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes an enabling technology for the rational design of engineered osteochondral units.
- The microfluidic approach allows for precise control over differentiation, overcoming previous variability issues.
- This work is a critical step towards developing commercially viable osteochondral tissue products.
