Bioprocessing Conditions for Improving the Material Properties of Tissue Engineered Cartilage

Abstract

Cartilage tissue engineering is an emerging treatment option for osteoarthritis and trauma related joint injuries. A continuing challenge for cartilage tissue engineering is increasing construct extracellular matrix production and material properties. Shear stress and oxygen tension play an important role in tissue engineering of cartilage. In this select stimulatory conditions using combinations of shear stress and oxygen tension have been used to enhance the construct extracellular matrix deposition and material properties. Additionally, a perfusion concentric cylinder bioreactor has been developed to incorporate multiple fluid flow regimes through the construct. This thesis attempts to elucidate the effect of shear stress and biochemical conditions on cartilage development in vitro to provide functional tissue engineered constructs.