Relationship between physical, biochemical and biomechanical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage-carrier-constructs

Abstract

Three-dimensional cartilage-carrier-constructs were produced according to a standard protocol from chondrocytes of an adult mini-pig. Physical parameters (height and weight) correlated very well with total DNA content (r2 = 0.86, re. 0.94). The relation between DNA content and glycosaminoglycan content was less but still significant. No significant relationship was found between the elasticity module and the DNA content, even if the elasticity module increased slightly at higher DNA content. With respect to later implantation, selection of a construct for implantation based on the weight, which can be determined non-invasive and under sterile conditions, seems to be justifiable.

Bioreactor cultivation of three-dimensional cartilage-carrier-constructs

“…The methods of tissue engineering allow the generation of cartilage tissue in vitro and open new strategies to restore damaged cartilage [4][5][6][7][8]. The aim of this work was to develop a bioreactor process for cultivation of three-dimensional cartilage-carrier-constructs based on a concept suggested recently [9]. The three-dimensional constructs were prepared by cultivation of chondrocytes on top of a solid carrier.…”

“…It has to be stressed that the cells are not entrapped in a macroporous scaffold as in alternative concepts [3]. The cultivation principle consists of the following steps [9]: (a) chondrocytes are isolated from articular cartilage and expanded in monolayer culture and then seeded on a solid carrier to form a ''primer layer'', (b) simultaneously chondrocytes are suspended in alginate gel and cultivated for 2 weeks to allow the formation of pericellular matrix, (c) the redifferentiated chondrocytes are then recovered from the alginate gel and sedimented on the ''primer layer'', (d) the biphasic constructs are further cultivated for 3 weeks to allow free-swelling of the cartilage matrix.…”

Tissue engineering bioreactor systems for applying physical and electrical stimulations to cells

“…Thus the Petri dish provides a 2D cell cultivation environment different from the more recent research trend, 3D cultivation. 14,15 Some examples of 2D and 3D cell culture methods are shown in Figure 2(a).…”

Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering

“…[24][25][26][27][28]. The biomaterials are applied in the form of directly in the tissue injectable or non injectable hydrogels [29], carriers [30][31][32] or scaffolds. [2].…”