Fiber reinforced hydrated networks recapitulate the poroelastic mechanics of articular cartilage
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The role of poroelasticity on the functional performance of articular cartilage has been established in the scientific literature since the 1960s. Despite the extensive knowledge on this topic there remain few attempts to design for poroelasticity and to our knowledge no demonstration of an engineered poroelastic material that approaches the physiological performance. In this paper, we report on the development of an engineered material that begins to approach physiological poroelasticity. We quantify poroelasticity using the fluid load fraction, apply mixture theory to model the material system, and determine cytocompatibility using primary human mesenchymal stem cells. The design approach is based on a fiber reinforced hydrated network and uses routine fabrication methods (electrohydrodynamic deposition) and materials (poly[ɛ-caprolactone] and gelatin) to develop the engineered poroelastic material. This composite material achieved a mean peak fluid load fraction of 68%, displayed consistency with mixture theory, and demonstrated cytocompatibility. This work creates a foundation for designing poroelastic cartilage implants and developing scaffold systems to study chondrocyte mechanobiology and tissue engineering. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Poroelasticity drives the functional mechanics of articular cartilage (load bearing and lubrication). In this work we develop the design rationale and approach to produce a poroelastic material, known as a fiber reinforced hydrated network (FiHy™), that begins to approach the native performance of articular cartilage. This is the first engineered material system capable of exceeding isotropic linear poroelastic theory. The framework developed here enables fundamental studies of poroelasticity and the development of translational materials for cartilage repair.
Date Issued
2023-09-01
Date Acceptance
2023-06-13
Citation
Acta Biomaterialia, 2023, 167, pp.69-82
ISSN
1742-7061
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
69
End Page
82
Journal / Book Title
Acta Biomaterialia
Volume
167
Copyright Statement
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37331613
PII: S1742-7061(23)00340-9
Subjects
Cartilage, Articular
Chondrocytes
Humans
Tissue Engineering
Biphasic mechanics
Electrospinning
Engineered cartilage
Interpenetrating network
Multiphasic mechanics
Poroelastic mechanics
Soft composite
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2023-07-25