title: Biological, biochemical and biomechanical characterisation of articular cartilage from the porcine, bovine and ovine hip and knee.
abstract: This study aimed to determine the optimal starting material for the development of an acellular osteochondral graft. Osteochondral tissues from three different species were characterised; pig (6 months), cow (18 months) and two ages of sheep (8-12 months and >4 year old). Tissues from the acetabulum and femoral head of the hip, and the groove, medial and lateral condyles and tibial plateau of the knee were assessed. Histological analysis of each tissue allowed for qualification of cartilage histoarchitecture, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) distribution, assessment of cellularity and cartilage thickness. Collagen and GAG content were quantified and cartilage water content was defined. Following biomechanical testing, the percentage deformation, permeability and equilibrium elastic modulus was determined. Results showed that porcine cartilage had the highest concentration of sulphated proteoglycans and that the condyles and groove of the knee showed higher GAG content than other joint areas. Cartilage from younger tissues (porcine and young ovine) had higher cell content and was thicker, reflecting the effects of age on cartilage structure. Cartilage from older sheep had a much higher elastic modulus and was less permeable than other species.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Fermor
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: S W D
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: McLure
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ingham
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000502:physiology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology*; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010539:Permeability; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Cartilage; cellularity; collagen; equilibrium elastic modulus; glycosaminoglycan; percentage deformation; permeability; thickness; water content