New approaches to solute transport measurement in mechanically loaded articular cartilage

Abstract

Diffusive and convective transport of bioactive solutes within the extracellular matrix of articular cartilage plays an important role in the regulation of tissue physiology and the cell biological response to mechanical compression. With a view toward identifying means to employ mechanical control of solute transport for the optimization of in vitro methods of cartilage tissue engineering, we have developed techniques for real-time observation and quantification of solute transport within statically compressed cartilage explants in the presence of interstitial fluid flows and matrix inhomogeneities, and also within dynamically compressed cartilage explants. Initial results confirm the potential usefulness of the new methods, and suggest roles for transport phenomena in regulation of the cartilage biological response to static and dynamic compression. Further characterization of solute transport using these methods may therefore guide the optimization of in vitro mechanical loading protocols used in cartilage tissue engineering.