Gel structure impacts pericellular and extracellular matrix deposition which subsequently alters metabolic activities in chondrocyte-laden PEG hydrogels

摘要

While designing poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with high moduli suitable for in situ placement is attractive for cartilage regeneration, the impact of a tighter crosslinked structure on the organization and deposition of matrix is not fully understood. The objectives for this study were to characterize the composition and spatial organization of neo-matrix as a function of gel crosslinking and study its impact on chondrocytes via anabolic and catabolic gene expressions and catabolic activity. Bovine articular chondrocytes were encapsulated in hydrogels of three crosslinking densities (compressive moduli were 60, 320 and 590 kPa) and cultured for 25 days. Glycosaminoglycan production increased with culture time and was greatest in gels with lowest crosslinking. Collagens II and VI, aggrecan, link protein, and decorin were localized to pericellular regions in all gels, but their presence decreased with increases in gel crosslinking. Collagen II and aggrecan expressions were initially up-regulated in gels with higher crosslinking, but increased similarly up to day 15. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and -13 expressions were elevated (~25-fold) in gels with higher crosslinking throughout the study, while MMP-3 was not affected by gel crosslinking. The presence of aggecan and collagen degradation products confirmed MMP activity. These findings indicate that chondrocytes synthesize the major cartilage components within PEG hydrogels, however, gel structure strongly impacts the composition and spatial organization of the neo-tissue and impacts how chondrocytes respond to their environment, particularly with respect to their catabolic expressions.