• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.119-125
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to compare micro-scale friction coefficients with and without synovial fluid, and micro-scale measurements were performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a $5{\mu}m$ spherical probe. Four cylindrical cartilage specimens were harvested from two fresh bovine humeral heads (4-6 months old). $Average{\pm}standard$ deviation values of the micro-scale AFM frictional coefficients calculated from the liner fit of friction versus normal force was $0.177{\pm}0.012$ and $0.130{\pm}0.010$ with and without synovial fluid coating on AFM probe respectively, showing its reduction by ${\sim}27%$ with synovial fluid. To the best of our knowledge, this experimental study investigates the first such comparisons of frictional response of articular cartilage with and without synovial fluid coating on AFM probe, and provides significant insights into the role of synovial fluid in the articular cartilage friction and lubrication independently of the confounding effect of fluid pressurization in the articular cartilage.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.145-150
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• 2008

One of the unresolved questions in articular cartilage biomechanics is the magnitude of the dynamic modulus and tissue compressive strains under physiological loading conditions. The objective of this study was to characterize the dynamic modulus and compressive strain magnitudes of bovine articular cartilage at physiological compressive stress level and loading frequency. Four bovine calf shoulder joints (ages 2-4 months) were loaded in Instron testing system under load control, with a load amplitude up to 800 N and loading frequency of 1 Hz, resulting in peak engineering stress amplitude of ${\sim}5.8\;MPa$. The corresponding peak deformation of the articular layer reached ${\sim}27%$ of its thickness. The effective dynamic modulus determined from the slope of stress versus strain curve was ${\sim}23\;MPa$, and the phase angle difference between the applied stress and measured strain which is equivalent to the area of the hystresis loop in the stress-strain response was ${\sim}8.3^{\circ}$. These results are representative of the functional properties of articular cartilage in a physiological loading environment. This study provides novel experimental findings on the physiological strain magnitudes and dynamic modulus achieved in intact articular layers under cyclical loading conditions.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.304-314
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Ear cartilage malformations are commonly encountered problems in reconstructive surgery, since cartilage has low self-regenerating capacity. Malformations that impose psychological and social burden on one's life are currently treated using ear prosthesis, synthetic implants or autologous flaps from rib cartilage. These approaches are challenging because not only they request high surgical expertise, but also they lack flexibility and induce severe donor-site morbidity. Through the last decade, tissue engineering gained attention where it aims at regenerating human tissues or organs in order to restore normal functions. This technique consists of three main elements, cells, growth factors, and above all, a scaffold that supports cells and guides their behavior. Several studies have investigated different scaffolds prepared from both synthetic or natural materials and their effects on cellular differentiation and behavior. Methods and Results: In this study, we investigated a natural scaffold (alginate) as tridimensional hydrogel seeded with progenitors from different origins such as bone marrow, perichondrium and dental pulp. In contact with the scaffold, these cells remained viable and were able to differentiate into chondrocytes when cultured in vitro. Quantitative and qualitative results show the presence of different chondrogenic markers as well as elastic ones for the purpose of ear cartilage, upon different culture conditions. Conclusions: We confirmed that auricular perichondrial cells outperform other cells to produce chondrogenic tissue in normal oxygen levels and we report for the first time the effect of hypoxia on these cells. Our results provide updates for cartilage engineering for future clinical applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1577-1582
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• 2006

Cartilage tissue engineering has emerged as an alternative approach for reconstruction or repair of injured cartilage tissues. In this study, rabbit chondrocytes were cultured in a three-dimensional environment to fabricate a new cartilaginous tissue with the application of tissue engineering strategies based on biodegradable PLGA microspheres. Chondrocytes were seeded on PLGA microspheres and cultured on a rocking platform for 5 weeks. The PLGA microspheres provided more surface area to adhere chondrocytes compared with PLGA sponge scaffolds. The novel system facilitated uniform distribution of the cells on the whole of the PLGA microspheres, thus forming a new cartilaginous construct at 4 weeks of culture. The histological and immunohistochemical analyses verified that the number of chondrocytes and the amount of extracellular matrix components such as proteoglycans and type II collagen were significantly greater on the PLGA microspheres constructs as compared with those on the PLGA sponge scaffolds. Therefore, PLGA microspheres enhanced the function of chondrocytes compared with PLGA sponge scaffolds, and thus might be useful for formation of cartilage tissue in vitro.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2005

We construct and test the polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) system for imaging porcine and human articular cartilages. PS-OCT is a new imaging technology that provides information regarding not only the tissue structures but tissue components that show birefringence such as collagen. In this study, we measure the cartilage thickness of the porcine joint and the phase retardation due to collagen birefringence. Also, we demonstrate that changes of the collagen fiber orientation could be detected by the PS-OCT system. Finally, differences between normal and damaged human articular cartilage are observed using the PS-OCT system, which is then compared with the regular histology pictures. As a result, the PS-OCT system is proven to be effective for diagnosis of the pathology related to the cartilage. In the future, this technology may be used for discrimination of the collagen types. When combined with endoscope technologies, the PS-OCT images may become a useful tool for in vivo tissue testing.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.478-489
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• 2019

Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by the progression of articular cartilage erosion, that increases pain during joint motion and reduces the ability to withstand mechanical stress, which in turn limits joint mobility and function. Damage to articular cartilage due to trauma or degenerative injury is considered a major cause of arthritis. Numerous studies and attempts have been made to regenerate articular cartilage. In the case of partial degenerative cartilage changes, microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation have been proposed as surgical treatment methods, but they have disadvantages such as insufficient mutual binding to the host cells, inaccurate cell delivery, and deterioration of healthy cartilage. Stem cell-based therapies have been developed to compensate for this. This review summarizes the drawbacks and consequences of various cartilage regeneration methods and describes the various attempts to treat cartilage damage. In addition, this review will discuss cartilage regeneration, particularly mesenchymal stem cell engineering-based therapies, and explore how to treat future cartilage regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2006.08a
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• pp.156-156
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• 2006

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2009

In this study, the influence of contact pressure on the variation in coefficients of friction between porcine knee joint cartilage and Co-Cr alloy in a repeat pass sliding motion was investigated. Flat-ended cartilage pin specimens(9 mm diameter, 8 mm long) were prepared from porcine(6 months old) knee joints by a drill-type punch. Friction tests were conducted by using a pin-on-disk type friction tester for an hour in PBS lubricated condition under the contact pressures of 0.5, 1 and 2 MPa with 50 mm distance per a cycle at ambient condition. As a result, coefficients of friction increased as the test duration increased for all contact pressures. The maximum coefficients of friction were 0.082, 0.06 and 0.098 for 0.5, 1, and 2 MPa, respectively. It showed that coefficients of friction of porcine knee joint cartilage against Co-Cr alloy depended on the level of contact pressure and related to squeeze film lubrication mechanism.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.486-496
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• 2011

A special mesenchymal tissue layer called perichondrium has a chondrogenic capacity and is a candidate tissue for engineering of cartilage. To overcome limited potential for chondrocyte proliferation and re-absorption, we studied a method of cartilage tissue engineering comprising chondrocyte-hydrogel pluronic complex (CPC) and cultured perichondrial cell sheet (cPCs) which entirely cover CPC. For effective cartilage regeneration, cell-sheet engineering technique of high-density culture was used for fabrication of cPCs. Hydrogel pluronic as a biomimetic cell carrier used for stable and maintains the chondrocytes. The human cPCs was cultured as a single layer and entirely covered CPC. The tissue engineered constructs were implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue pocket on nude mice (n = 6). CPC without cPCs were used as a controls (N = 6). Engineered cartilage specimens were harvested at 12 weeks after implantation and evaluated with gross morphology and histological examination. Biological analysis was also performed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen. Indeed, we performed additional in vivo studies of cartilage regeneration using canine large fullthickness chondrial defect model. The dogs were allocated to the experimental groups as treated chondrocyte sheets with perichondrial cell sheet group (n = 4), and chondrocyte sheets only group (n = 4). The histological and biochemical studies performed 12 weeks later as same manners as nude mouse but additional immunofluorescence study. Grossly, the size of cartilage specimen of cPCs covered group was larger than that of the control. On histological examination, the specimen of cPCs covered group showed typical characteristics of cartilage tissue. The contents of GAG and type II collagen were higher in cPCs covered group than that of the control. These studies demonstrated the potential of such CPC/cPCs constructs to support chondrogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, the method of cartilage tissue engineering using cPCs supposed to be an effective method with higher cartilage tissue gain. We suggest a new method of cartilage tissue engineering using cultured perichondrial cell sheet as a promising strategy for cartilage tissue reconstruction.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.673-697
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) aims to obtain a structure mimicking native cartilage tissue through the combination of relevant cells, three-dimensional scaffolds, and extraneous signals. Implantation of 'matured' constructs is thus expected to provide solution for treating large injury of articular cartilage. Type I collagen is widely used as scaffolds for CTE products undergoing clinical trial, owing to its ubiquitous biocompatibility and vast clinical approval. However, the long-term performance of pure type I collagen scaffolds would suffer from its limited chondrogenic capacity and inferior mechanical properties. This paper aims to provide insights necessary for advancing type I collagen scaffolds in the CTE applications. METHODS: Initially, the interactions of type I/II collagen with CTE-relevant cells [i.e., articular chondrocytes (ACs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)] are discussed. Next, the physical features and chemical composition of the scaffolds crucial to support chondrogenic activities of AC and MSC are highlighted. Attempts to optimize the collagen scaffolds by blending with natural/synthetic polymers are described. Hybrid strategy in which collagen and structural polymers are combined in non-blending manner is detailed. RESULTS: Type I collagen is sufficient to support cellular activities of ACs and MSCs; however it shows limited chondrogenic performance than type II collagen. Nonetheless, type I collagen is the clinically feasible option since type II collagen shows arthritogenic potency. Physical features of scaffolds such as internal structure, pore size, stiffness, etc. are shown to be crucial in influencing the differentiation fate and secreting extracellular matrixes from ACs and MSCs. Collagen can be blended with native or synthetic polymer to improve the mechanical and bioactivities of final composites. However, the versatility of blending strategy is limited due to denaturation of type I collagen at harsh processing condition. Hybrid strategy is successful in maximizing bioactivity of collagen scaffolds and mechanical robustness of structural polymer. CONCLUSION: Considering the previous improvements of physical and compositional properties of collagen scaffolds and recent manufacturing developments of structural polymer, it is concluded that hybrid strategy is a promising approach to advance further collagen-based scaffolds in CTE.