Time-dependent processes in stem cell-based tissue engineering of articular cartilage.
Articular cartilage (AC), situated in diarthrodial joints at the end of the long bones, is composed of a single cell type (chondrocytes) embedded in dense extracellular matrix comprised of collagens and proteoglycans. AC is avascular and alymphatic and is not innervated. At first glance, such a seemingly simple tissue appears to be an easy target for the rapidly developing field of tissue engineering. However, cartilage engineering has proven to be very challenging. We focus on time-dependent processes associated with the development of native cartilage starting from stem cells, and the modalities for utilizing these processes for tissue engineering of articular cartilage.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Ivana
I
Gadjanski
Kara
K
Spiller
Gordana
G
Vunjak-Novakovic
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering