Effect of the anisotropic permeability in the frequency dependent properties of the superficial layer of articular cartilage

Abstract

Articular cartilage is a tissue of fundamental importance for the mechanics of joints, since it provides a smooth and lubricated surface for the proper transfer of loads. From a mechanical point of view, this tissue is an anisotropic poroviscoelastic material: its characteristics at the macroscopic level depend on the complex microscopic architecture. With the ability to probe the local microscopic features, dynamic nanoindentation test is a powerful tool to investigate cartilage mechanics. In this work we focus on a length scale where the time dependent behaviour is regulated by poroelasticity more than viscoelasticity and we aim to understand the effect of the anisotropic permeability on the mechanics of the superficial layer of the articular cartilage. In a previous work, a finite element model for the dynamic nanoindentation test has been presented. In this work, we improve the model by considering the presence of an anisotropic permeability tensor that depends on the collagen fibers distribution. Our sensitivity analysis highlights that the permeability decreases with increasing indentation, thus making the tissue stiffer than the case of isotropic permeability, when solicited at the same frequency. With this improved model, a revised identification of the mechanical and physical parameters for articular cartilage is provided. To this purpose the model was used to simulate experimental data from tests performed on bovine tissue, giving a better estimation of the anisotropy in the elastic properties. A relation between the identified macroscopic anisotropic permeability properties and the microscopic rearrangement of the fiber/matrix structure during indentation is also provided.     

Optimization of culture media to enhance the growth of tissue engineered cartilage

Tissue engineering is a promising option for cartilage repair. However, several hurdles still need to be overcome to develop functional tissue constructs suitable for implantation. One of the most common challenges is the general low capacity of chondrocytes to synthesize cartilage-specific extracellular matrix (ECM). While different approaches have been explored to improve the biosynthetic response of chondrocytes, several studies have demonstrated that the nutritional environment (e.g., glucose concentration and media volume) can have a profound effect on ECM synthesis. Thus, the purpose of this study was to optimize the formulation of cell culture media to upregulate the accumulation of cartilaginous ECM constituents (i.e., proteoglycans and collagen) by chondrocytes in 3D culture. Using response surface methodology, four different media factors (basal media, media volume, glucose, and glutamine) were first screened to determine optimal media formulations. Constructs were then cultured under candidate optimal media formulations for 4 weeks and analyzed for their biochemical and structural properties. Interestingly, the maximal accumulation of proteoglycans and collagen appeared to be elicited by different media formulations. Most notably, proteoglycan accumulation was favored by high volume, low glucose-containing DMEM/F12 (1:1) media whereas collagen accumulation was favored by high volume, high glucose-containing F12 media. While high glutamine-containing media elicited increased DNA content, glutamine concentration had no apparent effect on ECM accumulation. Therefore, optimizing the nutritional environment during chondrocyte culture appears to be a promising, straight-forward approach to improve cartilaginous tissue formation. Future work will investigate the combined effects of the nutritional environment and external stimuli.     

Recent progress of animal transplantation studies for treating articular cartilage damage using pluripotent stem cells

Focal articular cartilage damage can eventually lead to the onset of osteoarthritis with degradation around healthy articular cartilage. Currently, there are no drugs available that effectively repair articular cartilage damage. Several surgical techniques exist and are expected to prevent progression to osteoarthritis, but they do not offer a long‐term clinical solution. Recently, regenerative medicine approaches using human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have gained attention as new cell sources for therapeutic products. To translate PSCs to clinical application, appropriate cultures that produce large amounts of chondrocytes and hyaline cartilage are needed. So too are assays for the safety and efficacy of the cellular materials in preclinical studies including animal transplantation models. To confirm safety and efficacy, transplantation into the subcutaneous space and articular cartilage defects have been performed in animal models. All but one study we reviewed that transplanted PSC‐derived cellular products into articular cartilage defects found safe and effective recovery. However, for most of those studies, the quality of the PSCs was not verified, and the evaluations were done with small animals over short observation periods. Large animals and longer observation times are preferred. We will discuss the recent progress and future direction of the animal transplantation studies for the treatment of focal articular cartilage damages using PSCs.     

金莲花液雾化吸入对慢性鼻窦炎功能性内窥镜术后患者鼻通气功能、生活质量和血清炎性因子的影响

目的:探讨金莲花液雾化吸入对慢性鼻窦炎(CRS)功能性内窥镜术后患者鼻通气功能、生活质量和血清炎性因子的影响。方法:选取2017年10月~2019年8月期间我院收治的CRS功能性内窥镜术后患者160例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为对照组(n=80)和研究组(n=80),对照组术后在常规治疗的基础上予以鼻腔生理盐水雾化吸入治疗,研究组在常规治疗的基础上予以金莲花液雾化吸入治疗,比较两组患者鼻通气功能[鼻腔最小截面积(NMCSA)、鼻腔容积(NV)]、生活质量和血清炎性因子[白介素-5(IL-5)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、降钙素原(PCT)]及预后相关指标。结果:两组患者治疗10 d后NMCSA、NV均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗10 d后情感职能、躯体疼痛、社会功能、生理功能、精神健康、活力、生理职能、总体健康的维度评分均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗10 d后血清IL-5、TNF-α、PCT水平均较治疗前下降,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组术腔清洁时间、上皮化时间均短于对照组(P<0.05);研究组鼻黏液纤毛传输速度高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:金莲花液雾化吸入治疗CRS功能性内窥镜术后患者,可有效改善其鼻通气功能及生活质量,抑制炎性反应,促进患者恢复。     

经鼻高流量氧疗对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期患者血气指标、膈肌功能及炎性反应的影响

摘要 目的：探讨经鼻高流量氧疗对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）患者血气指标、膈肌功能及炎性反应的影响。方法：回顾性分析2018年2月~2020年8月我院收治的119例AECOPD患者的临床资料。根据不同氧疗方法分为传统组59例和研究组60例,传统组给予传统氧疗,研究组给予经鼻高流量氧疗。对比两组治疗前后血气指标、膈肌功能及炎性反应的变化情况,观察两组不良反应发生率、治疗后再插管率、喘急胸闷和咳痰困难消失率。结果：研究组治疗后动脉血二氧化碳分压（PaCO₂） 较传统组低,血氧饱和度（SaO₂）、动脉血氧分压（PaO₂）高于传统组（均P<0.05）。研究组治疗后膈肌浅快呼吸指数（D-RSBI）、平静呼吸膈肌移动度（DEq）低于传统组（均P<0.05）。研究组治疗后血清白细胞介素(IL)-6、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α 低于传统组（均P<0.05）。研究组治疗后再插管率低于传统组,喘急胸闷消失率、咳痰困难消失率高于传统组（均P<0.05）。两组的不良反应总发生率组间对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：与传统氧疗相比,经鼻高流量氧疗应用于AECOPD患者可有效改善血气指标、膈肌功能,减轻炎性反应,改善患者的临床症状。     

PLCγ1 inhibition-driven autophagy of IL-1β-treated chondrocyte confers cartilage protection against osteoarthritis,involving AMPK,Erk and Akt

Previous studies identified the involvement of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) γ1 in some events of chondrocytes. This study aims to investigate whether and how PLCγ1 modulates autophagy to execute its role in osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Rat normal or human OA chondrocytes were pretreated with IL-1β for mimicking or sustaining OA pathological condition. Using Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, qPCR, immunofluorescence and Dimethylmethylene blue assays, and ELISA and transmission electron microscope techniques, we found that PLCγ1 inhibitor U73122 enhanced Collagen II, Aggrecan and GAG levels, accompanied with increased LC3B-II/I ratio and decreased P62 expression level, whereas autophagy inhibitor Chloroquine partially diminished its effect. Meanwhile, U73122 dissociated Beclin1 from Beclin1-IP3R-Bcl-2 complex and blocked mTOR/ULK1 axis, in which the crosstalk between PLCγ1, AMPK, Erk and Akt were involved. Additionally, by haematoxylin and eosin, Safranin O/Fast green, and immunohistochemistry staining, we observed that intra-articular injection of Ad-shPLCγ1-1/2 significantly enhanced Collagen and Aggrecan levels, accompanied with increased LC3B and decreased P62 levels in a rat OA model induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscus resection. Consequently, PLCγ1 inhibition-driven autophagy conferred cartilage protection against OA through promoting ECM synthesis in OA chondrocytes in vivo and in vitro, involving the crosstalk between PLCγ1, AMPK, Erk and Akt.     

Characterization of the growth plate-bone interphase region using cryo-FIB SEM 3D volume imaging

The interphase region at the base of the growth plate includes blood vessels, cells and mineralized tissues. In this region, cartilage is mineralized and replaced with bone. Blood vessel extremities permeate this space providing nutrients, oxygen and signaling factors. All these different components form a complex intertwined 3D structure. Here we use cryo-FIB SEM to elaborate this 3D structure without removing the water. As it is challenging to image mineralized and unmineralized tissues in a hydrated state, we provide technical details of the parameters used. We obtained two FIB SEM image stacks that show that the blood vessels are in intimate contact not only with cells, but in some locations also with mineralized tissues. There are abundant red blood cells at the extremities of the vessels. We also documented large multinucleated cells in contact with mineralized cartilage and possibly also with bone. We observed membrane bound mineralized particles in these cells, as well as in blood serum, but not in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. We confirm that there is an open pathway from the blood vessel extremities to the mineralizing cartilage. Based on the sparsity of the mineralized particles, we conclude that mainly ions in solution are used for mineralizing cartilage and bone, but these are augmented by the supply of mineralized particles.     

A depth-dependent model of the pericellular microenvironment of chondrocytes in articular cartilage

Experimental studies suggest that the magnitude of chondrocyte deformation is much smaller than expected based on the material properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells, and that this result could be explained by a structural unit, the chondron, that is thought to protect chondrocytes from large deformations in situ. We extended an existing numerical model of chondrocyte, ECM and pericellular matrix (PCM) to include depth-dependent structural information. Our results suggest that superficial zone chondrocytes, which lack a pericellular capsule (PC), are relatively stiff, and therefore are protected from excessive deformations, whereas middle and deep zone chondrocytes are softer but are protected by the PC that limits cell deformations in these regions. We conclude that cell deformations sensitively depend on the immediate structural environment of the PCM in a depth-dependent manner, and that the functional stiffness of chondrocytes in situ is much larger than experiments on isolated cells would suggest.     

A comparison of cartilage stress-relaxation models in unconfined compression: QLV and stretched exponential in combination with fluid flow

Cartilage exhibits nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour. Various models have been proposed to explain cartilage stress relaxation, but it is unclear whether explicit modelling of fluid flow in unconfined compression is needed. This study compared Fung's quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) model with a stretched-exponential model of cartilage stress relaxation and examined each of these models both alone and in combination with a fluid-flow model in unconfined compression. Cartilage explants were harvested from bovine calf patellofemoral joints and equilibrated in tissue culture for 5 days before stress-relaxation testing in unconfined compression at 5% nominal strain. The stretched exponential models fit as well as the QLV models. Furthermore, the average stretched exponential relaxation time determined by this model lies within the range of experimentally measured relaxation times for extracted proteoglycan aggregates, consistent with the hypothesis that the stretched exponential model represents polymeric mechanisms of cartilage viscoelasticity.