University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Quantitative evaluation of mechanical properties in tissue-engineered auricular cartilage

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 04:22 authored by Nimeskern, L, van Osch, GJVM, Muller, R, Kathryn Stok
Tissue-engineering (TE) efforts for ear reconstruction often fail due to mechanical incompetency. It is therefore key for successful auricular cartilage (AUC) TE to ensure functional competency, that is, to mimic the mechanical properties of the native ear tissue. A review of past attempts to engineer AUC shows unsatisfactory functional outcomes with various cell-seeded biodegradable polymeric scaffolds in immunocompetent animal models. However, promising improvements to construct stability were reported with either mechanically reinforced scaffolds or novel two-stage implantation techniques. Nonetheless, quantitative mechanical evaluation of the constructs is usually overlooked, and such an evaluation of TE constructs alongside a benchmark of native AUC would allow real-time monitoring and improve functional outcomes of auricular TE strategies. Although quantitative mechanical evaluation techniques are readily available for cartilage, these techniques are designed to characterize the main functional components of hyaline and fibrous cartilage such as the collagen matrix or the glycosaminoglycan network, but they overlook the functional role of elastin, which is a major constituent of AUC. Hence, for monitoring AUC TE, novel evaluation techniques need to be designed. These should include a characterization of the specific composition and architecture of AUC, as well as mechanical evaluation of all functional components. Therefore, this article reviews the existing literature on AUC TE as well as cartilage mechanical evaluation and proposes recommendations for designing a mechanical evaluation protocol specific for AUC, and establishing a benchmark for native AUC to be used for quantitative evaluation of TE AUC.

History

Publication title

Tissue Engineering: Part B

Volume

20

Pagination

17-27

ISSN

1937-3368

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in engineering

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC