Biomedical Engineering Reference
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responses at varying flow rates. Clearly the link between cell adhesion peptides
and stimulatory shear forces can be better elucidated by optimizing the
conditions for cell adhesion, cell detachment, and cell differentiation.
Fig. 1. The flow perfusion chamber used for both seeding and culture of PLLA functionalized
porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in Alvarez-Baretto
et al.
[102]. Adapted from [48].
3.3.
Cartilage
Cartilage is a complex tissue characterized by its high water content, its
resistance to pressure, and its ability to withstand repetitive compressive and
shear loading. These qualities are attributed to its unique extracellular matrix
(ECM), composed of primarily collagen and proteoglycans, allowing the material
to remain saturated with water and dissolved ions. It has limited capabilities for
regeneration
in vivo
, so this tissue requires special considerations when
attempting to regenerate it
in vitro
. Mechanical stimulation of cartilage tissue
engineered constructs is known to effect the metabolic activity of the
chondrocytes as well as result in an improved biochemical composition of the
constructs when compared to nonloaded, static constructs [117, 118]. This occurs
through the physical deformation of the matrix transferring to the encapsulated
cells, which respond due to a process called mechanotransduction. With
appropriate strain or shear load and frequency, this response can be elicited to
improve chodrocytic or progenitor cell differentiation and phenotype expression,
resulting in improved matrix components and structural integrity. Angele
et al.
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