The Local Matrix Distribution and the Functional Development of Tissue Engineered Cartilage, a Finite Element Study
- 1 December 2004
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Annals of Biomedical Engineering
- Vol. 32 (12), 1718-1727
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-004-7824-3
Abstract
Assessment of the functionality of tissue engineered cartilage constructs is hampered by the lack of correlation between global measurements of extra cellular matrix constituents and the global mechanical properties. Based on patterns of matrix deposition around individual cells, it has been hypothesized previously, that mechanical functionality arises when contact occurs between zones of matrix associated with individual cells. The objective of this study is to determine whether the local distribution of newly synthesized extracellular matrix components contributes to the evolution of the mechanical properties of tissue engineered cartilage constructs. A computational homogenization approach was adopted, based on the concept of a periodic representative volume element. Local transport and immobilization of newly synthesized matrix components were described. Mechanical properties were taken dependent on the local matrix concentration and subsequently the global aggregate modulus and hydraulic permeability were derived. The transport parameters were varied to assess the effect of the evolving matrix distribution during culture. The results indicate that the overall stiffness and permeability are to a large extent insensitive to differences in local matrix distribution. This emphasizes the need for caution in the visual interpretation of tissue functionality from histology and underlines the importance of complementary measurements of the matrix’s intrinsic molecular organization.Keywords
This publication has 57 references indexed in Scilit:
- Controlling the spatial distribution of ECM components in degradable PEG hydrogels for tissue engineering cartilageJournal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2002
- Predicting Local Cell Deformations in Engineered Tissue Constructs: A Multilevel Finite Element ApproachJournal of Biomechanical Engineering, 2002
- Injection molding of chondrocyte/alginate constructs in the shape of facial implantsJournal of Biomedical Materials Research, 2001
- Mechanisms involved in cartilage proteoglycan catabolismMatrix Biology, 2000
- Functional Tissue Engineering: The Role of BiomechanicsJournal of Biomechanical Engineering, 2000
- Influence of intermittent pressure, fluid flow, and mixing on the regenerative properties of articular chondrocytesBiotechnology & Bioengineering, 1999
- Stimulation of Aggrecan Synthesis in Cartilage Explants by Cyclic Loading Is Localized to Regions of High Interstitial Fluid Flow1Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1999
- Mechanical Properties of the Collagen Network in Human Articular Cartilage as Measured by Osmotic Stress TechniqueArchives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1998
- Mass Transfer Studies of Tissue Engineered CartilageTissue Engineering, 1996
- A Molecular Model of Proteoglycan-Associated Electrostatic Forces in Cartilage MechanicsJournal of Biomechanical Engineering, 1995