Engineered human meniscus' matrix-forming phenotype is unaffected by low strain dynamic compression under hypoxic conditions.

Low oxygen and mechanical loading may play roles in regulating the fibrocartilaginous phenotype of the human inner meniscus, but their combination in engineered tissues remains unstudied. Here, we investigated how continuous low oxygen ("hypoxia") combined with dynamic compression would affect the fibrocartilaginous "inner meniscus-like" matrix-forming phenotype of human meniscus fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) in a porous type I collagen scaffold. Freshly-seeded MFC scaffolds were cultured for 4 weeks in either 3 or 20% O2 or pre-cultured for 2 weeks in 3% O2 and then dynamically compressed for 2 weeks (10% strain, 1 Hz, 1 h/day, 5 days/week), all with or without TGF-ß3 supplementation. TGF-ß3 supplementation was found necessary to induce matrix formation by MFCs in the collagen scaffold regardless of oxygen tension and application of the dynamic compression loading regime. Neither hypoxia under static culture nor hypoxia combined with dynamic compression had significant effects on expression of specific protein and mRNA markers for the fibrocartilaginous matrix-forming phenotype. Mechanical properties significantly increased over the two-week loading period but were not different between static and dynamic-loaded tissues after the loading period. These findings indicate that 3% O2 applied immediately after scaffold seeding and dynamic compression to 10% strain do not affect the fibrocartilaginous matrix-forming phenotype of human MFCs in this type I collagen scaffold. It is possible that a delayed hypoxia treatment and an optimized pre-culture period and loading regime combination would have led to different outcomes.

Correction: Engineered human meniscus' matrix-forming phenotype is unaffected by low strain dynamic compression under hypoxic conditions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248292.].

Author Correction: Strategies to Mitigate Variability in Engineering Human Nasal Cartilage.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Mimicking "J-Shaped" and Anisotropic Stress-Strain Behavior of Human and Porcine Aorta by Fabric-Reinforced Elastomer Composites.

An ex vivo heart perfusion device preserves the donor heart in a warm beating state during transfer between extraction and implantation surgeries. One of the current challenges includes the use of rigid and noncompliant plastic tubes, which causes injuries to the heart at the junction between the tissue and the tube. The compliant and rapidly strain-stiffening mechanical property that generates a "J-shaped" stress-strain behavior is necessary for producing the Windkessel effect, which ensures continuous flow of blood through the aorta. In this study, we mimic the J-shaped and anisotropic stress-strain behavior of human aorta in synthetic elastomers to replace the problematic noncompliant plastic tube. First, we assess the mechanical properties of human (n = 1) and porcine aorta (n = 14) to quantify the nonlinear and anisotropic behavior under uniaxial tensile stress from five different regions of the aorta. Second, fabric-reinforced elastomer composites were prepared by reinforcing silicone elastomers with embedded fabrics in a trilayer geometry. The knitted structures of the fabric provide strain-stiffening as well as anisotropic mechanical properties of the resulting composite in a deterministic manner. By optimizing the combination between different elastomers and fabrics, the resulting composites matched the J-shaped and anisotropic stress-strain behavior of natural human and porcine aorta. Finally, improved analytical constitutive models based on Gent's and Mooney-Rivlin's constitutive model (to describe the elastomer matrix) combined with Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden's model (to represent the stiffer fabrics) were developed to describe the J-shaped behavior of the natural aortas and the fabric-reinforced composites. We anticipate that the suggested fabric-reinforced silicone elastomer composite design concept can be used to develop complex soft biomaterials, as well as in emerging engineering fields such as soft robotics and microfluidics, where the Windkessel effect can be useful in regulating the flow of fluids.

Chondrogenic differentiation of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells on human meniscus-derived decellularized matrix requires exogenous growth factors.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether meniscus-derived decellularized matrix (DCM) has the capacity to induce differentiation of synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SF-MSCs) towards a meniscus fibrochondrocyte (MFC) phenotype. The potential roles of transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGF-ß3) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the differentiation of SF-MSCs towards an MFC phenotype were also investigated. SF-MSCs were isolated via plastic adherence cell culture from the synovial fluid of five donors (5 male, average age 34 years). Porous DCM was generated by homogenizing and freeze-drying fresh normal human cadaveric meniscus tissue. SF-MSCs were seeded and cultured on the DCM scaffold in a defined serum-free media (SFM) supplemented with or without the combination of TGF-ß3 and IGF-1. Cell pellets of SF-MSCs were cultured in SFM with either TGF-ß3 or IGF-1 or their combination as controls. The duration of culture was 3 weeks for both experimental configurations. We assessed newly-formed tissues by biochemical assays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The combination of TGF-ß3 and IGF-1 induced production of the cartilaginous matrix in DCM and upregulated the expression of aggrecan, collagens I and II. Moreover, the SF-MSCs exhibited a round morphology in the DCM scaffolds in the presence of the growth factors. In pellets, combined TGF-ß3 and IGF-1 synergistically enhanced cartilaginous matrix production. In contrast to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), the differentiated SF-MSCs showed little evidence of the expression of the hypertrophic differentiation marker, collagen X. In conclusion, meniscus-derived DCM appears to require exogenous growth factor supplementation to direct differentiation of SF-MSCs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Meniscus tears are the most common injury of the knee joint. These tears pose a major risk factor for the early development of knee osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, the majority of these tears occur in the inner region of the meniscus and lacks blood supply with no reparative or regenerative capacity. The goal of this study was to determine if the native extracellular matrix (ECM) of human meniscus has the capacity to differentiate human knee synovial fluid resident mesenchymal stem cells (SF-MSCs) towards a meniscus phenotype as a potential strategy to repair avascular meniscal tears. Our findings show that the human meniscus-derived ECM without supplementation with growth factors (TGF-ß3 and IGF-1) cannot differentiate SF-MSCs towards a meniscus phenotype. The use of meniscus-derived scaffolds as a material to stimulate endogenous repair of meniscus tears via differentiation of SF-MSCs may require supplementation with TGF-ß3 and IGF-1.

Plasticity of Human Meniscus Fibrochondrocytes: A Study on Effects of Mitotic Divisions and Oxygen Tension.

Meniscus fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) may be the optimal cell source to repair non-healing meniscus injuries using tissue engineering strategies. In this study, we investigated the effects of mitotic divisions and oxygen tension on the plasticity of adult human MFCs. Our assessment techniques included gene expression, biochemical, histological, and immunofluorescence assays. MFCs were expanded in monolayer culture with combined growth factors TGFß1 and FGF-2 (T1F2) under normoxia (21% O2). Trilineage (adipogenesis, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis) differentiation was performed under both normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (3% O2) conditions. The data demonstrated that MFCs with a mean total population doubling of 10 can undergo adipogenesis and chondrogenesis. This capability was enhanced under hypoxic conditions. The MFCs did not undergo osteogenesis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that extensively expanded human MFCs have the capacity to generate tissues with the functional matrix characteristics of avascular meniscus. To this end, expanded MFCs may be an ideal cell source for engineering functional constructs for the replacement or repair of avascular meniscus.

Strategies to Mitigate Variability in Engineering Human Nasal Cartilage.

Skin cancer and its associated treitments can have devastating consequences for survivors; this is particularly true when cancer occurs on the nose. Recent work has applied cell-based tissue engineering (TE) strategies to develop nasal cartilage constructs for reconstruction of the nose. In this study, we have generated human nasal cartilage on a clinically approved collagen scaffold to investigate the donor-to-donor variability of TE cartilage and evaluated strategies to mitigate it. We also evaluated the gene expression of the family of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4) and their association with tissue quality. FGFR 1 was significantly positively correlated with GAG/DNA; a measure of chondrogenic capacity. We implemented two strategies: hypoxic culture and co-culture with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to increase tissue quality. Total glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content varied significantly between donors initially, with >10-fold difference between the best and worst donor tissue. Our co-culture strategy was able to increase TE construct quality from poor quality donor tissue while supressing hypertrophy relative to MSCs alone. However, no differences were observed with the use of hypoxic culture. Tissues generated using co-culture with MSCs became vascularized and calcified in vivo, demonstrating a non-stable cartilage phenotype in co-culture and MSCs cartilage constructs.

Current concepts on structure-function relationships in the menisci.

The menisci are intricately organized structures that perform many tasks in the knee. We review their structure and function and introduce new data about their tibial and femoral surfaces. As the femur and tibia approach each other when the knee is bearing load, circumferential tension develops in the menisci, enabling the transmission of compressive load between the femoral and tibial cartilage layers. A low shear modulus is necessary for the tissue to adapt its shape to the changing radius of the femur as that bone moves relative to the tibia during joint articulation. The organization of the meniscus facilitates its functions. In the outer region of the menisci, intertwined collagen fibrils, fibers, and fascicles with predominantly circumferential orientation are prevalent; these structures are held together by radial tie fibers and sheets. Toward the inner portion of the menisci, there is more proteoglycan and the structure becomes more cartilage-like. The transition between these structural forms is gradual and seamless. The flexible roots, required for rigid body motion of the menisci, meld with both the tibia and the outer portion of the menisci to maintain continuity for resistance to the circumferential tension. Our new data demonstrate that the femoral and tibial surfaces of the menisci are structurally analogous to the surfaces of articular cartilage, enabling consistent modes of lubrication and load transfer to occur at the interfacing surfaces throughout motion. The structure and function of the menisci are thus shown to be strongly related to one another: form clearly complements function.

Swelling significantly affects the material properties of the menisci in compression.

This study has evaluated the swelling of meniscal test samples associated with altered osmotic environments. Meniscal samples were cut and weighed, then placed in one of 3 solutions: deionized water, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or 2× concentration PBS. The amount of swelling in meniscal samples was solution independent with average swelling greater than 20%. The effect of this swelling on the mechanical properties of the samples was evaluated under confined compression testing. Samples were measured using a photogrammetric technique at the time of sample preparation and again after 1h in PBS. Meniscal samples used for mechanical testing swelled on average 18% in thickness after 1h in isotonic PBS. Free-swollen tissue was 1/3 as stiff at equilibrium as those that were recompressed to their original thickness prior to testing. Secant moduli at peak stress were nine times greater in the recompressed samples than the free-swollen samples. Relaxation times were faster in swollen samples, indicating increased permeability compared to recompressed specimen. Swelling pressure in the tissue averaged 14.4kPa in isotonic PBS, identifying that the menisci are pre-stressed structures within the knee joint. Histological analysis identified that the quantity of swelling is related to both the osmotic pressure generated by proteoglycans and the local collagen architecture in the sample. This is the first study to quantify the amount and swelling in meniscal test samples. This swelling behavior significantly influences the properties of the tissue in compression and should be addressed in future mechanical testing and protocol development for the menisci.

The structural and compositional transition of the meniscal roots into the fibrocartilage of the menisci.

The meniscal roots, or insertional ligaments, firmly attach the menisci to tibial plateau. These strong attachments anchor the menisci and allow for the generation of hoop stress in the tissue. The meniscal roots have a ligament-like structure that transitions into the fibrocartilagenous structure of the meniscal body. The purpose of this study was to carry out a complete analysis of the structure and tissue organization from the body of the meniscus through the transition region and into the insertional roots. Serial sections were obtained from the meniscal roots into the meniscal body in fixed juvenile bovine menisci. Sections were stained for collagen and proteoglycans (PG) using fast green and safranin-o staining protocols. Unstained sections were imaged used a backlit stereo microscope. Optical projection tomography (OPT) was employed to evaluate the three-dimensional collagen architecture of the root-meniscus transition in lapine menisci. Tie-fibres were observed in the sections of the ligaments furthest from the bovine meniscal body. Blood vessels were observed to be surrounded by these tie-fibres and a PG-rich region within the ligaments. Near the tibial insertion, the roots contained large ligament-like collagen fascicles. In sections approaching the meniscus, there was an increase in tie-fibre size and density. Small tie-fibres extended into the ligament from the epiligamentous structure in the outermost sections of the meniscal roots, while large tie-fibre bundles were apparent at the meniscus transition. The staining pattern indicates that the root may continue into the outer portion of the meniscus where it then blends with the more fibrocartilage-like inner portions of the tissue. In unstained sections it was observed that the femoral side of the epiligamentous structure surrounding the root becomes more fibrous and thickens in the inferior inner portion of the posterior medial root. This thickening changes the shape of the root to more closely resemble the meniscus wedge shape. These observations support the concept of root continuity with the outer portion of the meniscus, thereby connecting with the hoop-like structure of the peripheral meniscus. OPT identified continuous collagen organization from the root into the meniscal body in longitudinal sections. In the radial direction, the morphology of the root continues into the meniscal body consistent with the serially sectioned bovine menisci. Blood vessels were prevalent on the periphery of the root. These blood vessels then arborized to cover the anterior femoral surface of the meniscus. This is the first study of the structural transition between the insertional ligaments (roots) and the fibrocartilagenous body of the menisci. These new structural details are important to understanding the meniscal load-bearing mechanism in the knee.

Tie-fibre structure and organization in the knee menisci.

The collagenous structure of the knee menisci is integral to the mechanical integrity of the tissue and the knee joint. The tie-fibre structure of the tissue has largely been neglected, despite previous studies demonstrating its correlation with radial stiffness. This study has evaluated the structure of the tie-fibres of bovine menisci using 2D and 3D microscopy techniques. Standard collagen and proteoglycan (PG) staining and 2D light microscopy techniques were conducted. For the first time, the collagenous structure of the menisci was evaluated using 3D, second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. This technique facilitated the imaging of collagen structure in thick sections (50-100 µm). Imaging identified that tie-fibres of the menisci arborize from the outer margin of the meniscus toward the inner tip. This arborization is associated with the structural arrangement of the circumferential fibres. SHG microscopy has definitively demonstrated the 3D organization of tie-fibres in both sheets and bundles. The hierarchy of the structure is related to the organization of circumferential fascicles. Large tie-fibre sheets bifurcate into smaller sheets to surround circumferential fascicles of decreasing size. The tie-fibres emanate from the lamellar layer that appears to surround the entire meniscus. At the tibial and femoral surfaces these tie-fibre sheets branch perpendicularly into the meniscal body. The relationship between tie-fibres and blood vessels in the menisci was also observed in this study. Tie-fibre sheets surround the blood vessels and an associated PG-rich region. This subunit of the menisci has not previously been described. The size of tie-fibre sheets surrounding the vessels appeared to be associated with the size of blood vessel. These structural findings have implications in understanding the mechanics of the menisci. Further, refinement of the complex structure of the tie-fibres is important in understanding the consequences of injury and disease in the menisci. The framework of meniscus architecture also defines benchmarks for the development of tissue-engineered replacements in the future.

An evaluation of meniscal collagenous structure using optical projection tomography.

BACKGROUND: The collagenous structure of menisci is a complex network of circumferentially oriented fascicles and interwoven radially oriented tie-fibres. To date, examination of this micro- architecture has been limited to two-dimensional imaging techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the three-dimensional imaging technique; optical projection tomography (OPT), to visualize the collagenous structure of the meniscus. If successful, this technique would be the first to visualize the macroscopic orientation of collagen fascicles in 3-D in the meniscus and could further refine load bearing mechanisms in the tissue. OPT is an imaging technique capable of imaging samples on the meso-scale (1-10 mm) at a micro-scale resolution. The technique, similar to computed tomography, takes two-dimensional images of objects from incremental angles around the object and reconstructs them using a back projection algorithm to determine three-dimensional structure. METHODS: Bovine meniscal samples were imaged from four locations (outer main body, femoral surface, tibial surface and inner main body) to determine the variation in collagen orientation throughout the tissue. Bovine stifles (n = 2) were obtained from a local abattoir and the menisci carefully dissected. Menisci were fixed in methanol and subsequently cut using a custom cutting jig (n = 4 samples per meniscus). Samples were then mounted in agarose, dehydrated in methanol and subsequently cleared using benzyl alcohol benzyl benzoate (BABB) and imaged using OPT. RESULTS: Results indicate circumferential, radial and oblique collagenous orientations at the contact surfaces and in the inner third of the main body of the meniscus. Imaging identified fascicles ranging from 80-420 µm in diameter. Transition zones where fascicles were found to have a woven or braided appearance were also identified. The outer-third of the main body was composed of fascicles oriented predominantly in the circumferential direction. Blood vessels were also visualized using this technique, as their elastin content fluoresces more brightly than collagen at the 425 nm wavelength used by the OPT scanner. CONCLUSIONS: OPT was capable of imaging the collagenous structure, as well as blood vessels in the bovine meniscus. Collagenous structure variability, including transition zones between structural regions not previously described in the meniscus, was identified using this novel technique.