Open AccessOptimized Media Volumes Enable Homogeneous Growth of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Engineered Cartilage Constructs
Author(s) -
Hannah M. Zlotnick,
Brendan D. Stoeckl,
Elizabeth A. Henning,
David R. Steinberg,
Robert L. Mauck
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tissue engineering. part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.964
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-335X
pISSN - 1937-3341
DOI - 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0123
Subject(s) - cartilage , tissue engineering , mesenchymal stem cell , chondrogenesis , homogeneous , biomedical engineering , matrix (chemical analysis) , in vitro , stem cell , cartilage oligomeric matrix protein , materials science , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , biology , pathology , medicine , osteoarthritis , mathematics , composite material , biochemistry , alternative medicine , combinatorics
Despite marked advances in the field of cartilage tissue engineering, it remains a challenge to engineer cartilage constructs with homogeneous properties. Moreover, for engineered cartilage to make it to the clinic, this homogeneous growth must occur in a time-efficient manner. In this study we investigated the potential of increased media volume to expedite the homogeneous maturation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) laden engineered constructs over time in vitro . We assessed the MSC-laden constructs after 4 and 8 weeks of chondrogenic culture using bulk mechanical, histological, and biochemical measures. These assays were performed on both the intact total constructs and the construct cores to elucidate region-dependent differences. In addition, local strain transfer was assessed to quantify depth-dependent mechanical properties throughout the constructs. Our findings suggest that increased media volume enhances matrix deposition early in culture and ameliorates unwanted regional heterogeneities at later time points. Taken together, these data support the use of higher media volumes during in vitro culture to hasten tissue maturation and increase the core strength of tissue constructs. These findings will forward the field of cartilage tissue engineering and the translation of tissue engineered constructs.