Bioengineered articular cartilage biomimetic organ-on-a-chip using microfluidics

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Cartilage tissue engineering faces challenges in selecting biopolymers, cell sources, and dynamic simulation methods.
• Developing functional cartilage requires mimicking native tissue's complex structure and biomechanical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel approach for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-induced chondrogenesis.
• To utilize an organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) model with microfluidics and decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) bioink.
• To engineer hyaline cartilage biomimetics with native-like structural and biomechanical characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Optimized a composite hydrogel with specific compression modulus (0.18 MPa) and tensile strength (0.4 MPa).
• Employed microfluidic shear pressures (150 mbar and 50 mbar) and media flow rate (5 µL/min) to simulate superficial and middle cartilage zones.
• Incorporated dECM as a bioink additive to enhance MSCs chondrogenesis within the OOAC model.

Main Results:

• Optimized microfluidic parameters successfully induced chondrogenesis in MSCs.
• Gene and protein expression analysis showed upregulation of collagen type II, aggrecan, and laminin, indicating successful chondrogenesis.
• Engineered OOAC tissue constructs exhibited non-linear behavior and a tensile strength of 1.01 MPa, closely resembling native cartilage.

Conclusions:

• The combination of microfluidics, dECM bioink, and composite hydrogel significantly advances MSCs chondrogenesis.
• The developed OOAC model serves as a promising platform for creating hyaline cartilage biomimetics.
• This approach offers a potential disease model for studying cartilage-related conditions.