Impacts of maturation on the micromechanics of the meniscus extracellular matrix |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA;2. Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA;3. Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA;4. Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | To elucidate how maturation impacts the structure and mechanics of meniscus extracellular matrix (ECM) at the length scale of collagen fibrils and fibers, we tested the micromechanical properties of fetal and adult bovine menisci via atomic force microscopy (AFM)-nanoindentation. For circumferential fibers, we detected significant increase in the effective indentation modulus, Eind, with age. Such impact is in agreement with the increase in collagen fibril diameter and alignment during maturation, and is more pronounced in the outer zone, where collagen fibrils are more aligned and packed. Meanwhile, maturation also markedly increases the Eind of radial tie fibers, but not those of intact surface or superficial layer. These results provide new insights into the effect of maturation on the assembly of meniscus ECM, and enable the design of new meniscus repair strategies by modulating local ECM structure and mechanical behaviors. |
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| Keywords: | Meniscus Maturation Collagen fibers Extracellular matrix Nanoindentation |
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