Scaffold-free generation of non-contractile bioengineered cartilage to investigate the effects of inflammatory mediators on human chondrocytes.

ABSTRACT: Current animal models, particularly in rodents, offer insight into Osteoarthritis mechanisms but translational limitations, due to species specific differences with humans, exist. Human cell culture models can be used, however, cell culture on monolayer may not fully replicate the molecular context of native human chondrocytes within a cartilaginous matrix. To address these limitations, we sought to generate bioengineered human cartilage tissues using passaged chondrocytes. To achieve this, passaged human chondrocytes were seeded within three-dimensional (3D) agarose molds and stimulated to redifferentiate by exposure to TGF-β3. While TGF-β3 upregulates cartilage-specific matrix molecule aggrecan (ACAN) and type II collagen (COL2A1) mRNA levels, TGF-β3 also enhances the contractile phenoty

SUBMITTER: Richardson-Solorzano S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12662750 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature