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A Microfluidic Platform for Stimulating Chondrocytes with Dynamic Compression
Published on: September 13, 2019
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Engineered human meniscus' matrix-forming phenotype is unaffected by low strain dynamic compression under hypoxic
Alexander R A Szojka1, Colleen N Moore1, Yan Liang1
1Divisions of Orthopaedic Surgery and Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Plos One
|March 10, 2021
Summary
Low oxygen and dynamic compression did not enhance the fibrocartilaginous matrix formation of human meniscus cells in collagen scaffolds. TGF-β3 was essential for matrix production, but the combined low oxygen and mechanical loading conditions did not significantly alter cell phenotype.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The human meniscus inner zone's fibrocartilaginous phenotype is influenced by low oxygen and mechanical loading.
- The combined effects of hypoxia and dynamic compression on engineered meniscus tissues are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of continuous low oxygen (hypoxia) and dynamic compression on the matrix-forming phenotype of human meniscus fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) in a type I collagen scaffold.
- To determine the necessity of TGF-β3 supplementation under these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Human meniscus fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) were cultured in type I collagen scaffolds.
- Scaffolds were subjected to either 3% or 20% O2, or a combination of 2-week pre-culture in 3% O2 followed by 2-week dynamic compression (10% strain, 1 Hz, 1 hr/day, 5 days/week).
- Cultures were supplemented with or without TGF-β3.
Main Results:
- TGF-β3 supplementation was crucial for inducing matrix formation by MFCs, irrespective of oxygen levels or mechanical loading.
- Neither static hypoxia nor hypoxia combined with dynamic compression significantly altered the expression of key fibrocartilaginous matrix markers.
- Mechanical properties improved during the loading period, but no significant differences were observed between static and dynamically loaded tissues post-loading.
Conclusions:
- Continuous hypoxia and dynamic compression, as applied, do not enhance the fibrocartilaginous matrix-forming phenotype of human MFCs in type I collagen scaffolds.
- TGF-β3 is essential for matrix formation in this engineered tissue model.
- Optimized timing for hypoxia treatment and loading parameters may be necessary to achieve different outcomes.
