Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease that, according to the Arthritis Foundation, affects over 27 million Americans. The disease is characterized by a breakdown of articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, including collagen type II, aggrecan, and hyaluronic acid (HA). As the ECM degrades, symptoms appear including pain and increasing joint stiffness. Once loss of collagen occurs, it is believed that the opportunity for unaided cartilage regeneration is lost. With this in mind, we previously described synergistic effects of combining a functional mimic of aggrecan with aligned cartilage to prevent matrix degradation and promote cartilage ECM synthesis by primary bovine chondrocytes !""""""""#. However, in humans, we are limited in our supply of chondrocytes, and harvest of primary articular chondrocytes can lead to donor site morbidity. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source because they can be harvested without injury, have a high proliferation capacity, and can differentiate into chondrocytes under appropriate environmental conditions. One major challenge of utilizing MSCs, however, is that grafts seeded with MSCs do not produce as much matrix as grafts seeded with differentiated chondrocytes !$%&#. Thus, it is vital to establish conditions for effective differentiation and subsequent matrix production. Our long-term goal is to use MSCs in tissue-engineered cartilage to replace cartilage damaged by osteoarthritis. To achieve this goal, our objective is to create an environment that resists the destructive cycle of cartilage degradation from OA, mimics the native cartilage structure, and promotes chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. To address these issues, we have developed the following specific aims.
Aim 1 : Evaluate the effects of alignment, aggrecan mimic concentration, and BMP peptide concentration on stem cell differentiation.
Aim 2 : Investigate the effect of synergistic interactions on cartilage differentiation. The results from this proposal will elucidate properties of the local microenvironment that affect stem cell differentiation, resulting in enhanced matrix production and mechanical properties. These studies will thus serve as preliminary data for a future NIH R01 proposal that will evaluate these constructs in an in vivo defect model. Identification of material-based cues that result in improved cartilage grafts is essential in the development of safe and effective clinical therapies involving adult stem cells.

Public Health Relevance

Osteoarthritis is often triggered by injury and results in inflammation, release of catabolic cytokines, and extracellular matrix degrading enzymes by chondrocytes. Once cartilage defects occur, the body is unable to repair the cartilage. We propose a combined cell and biomimetic scaffold approach to support tissue regeneration.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AR065644-01
Application #
8617559
Study Section
Biomaterials and Biointerfaces Study Section (BMBI)
Program Officer
Wang, Fei
Project Start
2014-04-11
Project End
2016-03-31
Budget Start
2014-04-11
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$164,208
Indirect Cost
$54,208
Name
Purdue University
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
072051394
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907
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