Tensile properties of engineered cartilage formed from chondrocyte- and MSC-laden hydrogels.

摘要: Summary Objective The objective of this study was to determine the capacity chondrocyte- and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-laden hydrogel constructs achieve native tissue tensile properties when cultured in a chemically defined medium supplemented with transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-β3). Design Cell-laden agarose (seeded bovine chondrocytes or MSCs) were formed as prismatic strips serum-free presence absence TGF-β3. effects seeding density (10 vs 30 million cells/mL) type (chondrocyte MSC) evaluated over 56-day period. Biochemical content, collagenous matrix deposition localization, (ramp modulus, ultimate strain, toughness) assessed biweekly. Results show that cell-seeded increase time culture. However, (modulus, achieved on day 56 not dependent either initial employed. When TGF-β3, modulus increased plateaued at level 300–400kPa for each starting concentration. Ultimate strain toughness also relative values. Collagen seeded both types densities, exposure TGF-β3 resulting clear shift toward II collagen determined by immunohistochemical staining. Conclusions These findings demonstrate properties, an important often overlooked metric cartilage development, culture engineered hydrogel-based constructs. Under free-swelling conditions employed present study, moduli did match tissue, though significant time-dependent increases observed inclusion Of note, MSC-seeded comparable chondrocyte-seeded constructs, confirming utility alternative source engineering. Further work, including modulation chemical mechanical environment, is required optimize its remodeling matching tissue.