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Zone-dependent mechanical properties of human articular cartilage obtained by indentation measurements

  • Special Issue: ESB 2017
  • Review Article
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Emerging 3D printing technology permits innovative approaches to manufacture cartilage scaffolds associated with layer-by-layer mechanical property adaptation. However, information about gradients of mechanical properties in human articular cartilage is limited. In this study, we quantified a zone-dependent change of local elastic modulus of human femoral condyle cartilage by using an instrumented indentation technique. From the cartilage superficial zone towards the calcified layer, a gradient of elastic modulus values between 0.020 ± 0.003 MPa and 6.44 ± 1.02 MPa was measured. To validate the tissue quality, the histological tissue composition was visualized by glycosaminoglycan and collagen staining. This work aims to introduce a new protocol to investigate the zone-dependent mechanical properties of graded structures, such as human articular cartilage. From this knowledge, better cartilage repair strategies could be tailored in the future.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Swiss National Science Foundation (#200021_143413) for their financial support. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank Dr. Nadine Stokar for her help with histology interpretation, and Mme Sandra Jaccoud and Dr. Virginie Philippe for assistance with the DAL Biobank.

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Correspondence to D. P. Pioletti.

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Antons, J., Marascio, M.G.M., Nohava, J. et al. Zone-dependent mechanical properties of human articular cartilage obtained by indentation measurements. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 29, 57 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-018-6066-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-018-6066-0

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