Dataset Information

Biomechanical Characterisation of the Human Auricular Cartilages; Implications for Tissue Engineering.

ABSTRACT: Currently, autologous cartilage provides the gold standard for auricular reconstruction. However, synthetic biomaterials offer a number of advantages for ear reconstruction including decreased donor site morbidity and earlier surgery. Critical to implant success is the material's mechanical properties as this affects biocompatibility and extrusion. The aim of this study was to determine the biomechanical properties of human auricular cartilage. Auricular cartilage from fifteen cadavers was indented with displacement of 1 mm/s and load of 300 g to obtain a Young's modulus in compression. Histological analysis of the auricle was conducted according to glycoprotein, collagen, and elastin content. The compression modulus was calculated for each part of the auricle with the tragus at 1.67 ± 0.61 MPa, antitragus 1.79 ± 0.56 MPa, concha 2.08 ± 0.70 MPa, antihelix 1.71 ± 0.63 MPa, and helix 1.41 ± 0.67 MPa. The concha showed to have a significantly greater Young's Elastic Modulus than the helix in compression (p < 0.05). The histological analysis demonstrated that the auricle has a homogenous structure in terms of chondrocyte morphology, extracellular matrix and elastin content. This study provides new information on the compressive mechanical properties and histological analysis of the human auricular cartilage, allowing surgeons to have a better understanding of suitable replacements. This study has provided a reference, by which cartilage replacements should be developed for auricular reconstruction.

SUBMITTER: Griffin MF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5112295 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Biomechanical Characterisation of the Human Auricular Cartilages; Implications for Tissue Engineering.

Griffin M F MF Premakumar Y Y Seifalian A M AM Szarko M M Butler P E M PE

Annals of biomedical engineering 20160714 12

Currently, autologous cartilage provides the gold standard for auricular reconstruction. However, synthetic biomaterials offer a number of advantages for ear reconstruction including decreased donor site morbidity and earlier surgery. Critical to implant success is the material's mechanical properties as this affects biocompatibility and extrusion. The aim of this study was to determine the biomechanical properties of human auricular cartilage. Auricular cartilage from fifteen cadavers was inden ...[more]

PMID: 27417940

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Project description:PURPOSE:The significant shortcomings associated with current autologous reconstructive options for auricular deformities have inspired great interest in a tissue engineering solution. A major obstacle in the engineering of human auricular cartilage is the availability of sufficient autologous human chondrocytes. A clinically obtainable amount of auricular cartilage tissue (ie, 1 g) only yields approximately 10 million cells, where 25 times this amount is needed for the fabrication of a full-scale pediatric ear. It is thought that repeated passaging of chondrocytes leads to dedifferentiation and loss of the chondrogenic potential. However, little to no data exist regarding the ideal number of times that human auricular chondrocytes (HAuCs) can be passaged in a manner that maximizes the cellular expansion while minimizing dedifferentiation. METHODS:Human auricular chondrocytes were isolated from discarded otoplasty specimens. The HAuCs were then expanded, and cells from passages 3, 4, and 5 were encapsulated into discs 8 mm in diameter made from type I collagen hydrogels with a cell density of 25 million cells/mL. The constructs were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsa of nude mice and harvested after 1 and 3 months for analysis. RESULTS:Constructs containing passages 3, 4, and 5 chondrocytes all maintained their original cylindrical geometry. After 3 months in vivo, the diameters of the P3, P4, and P5 discs were 69 ± 9%, 67 ± 10%, and 73 ± 15% of their initial diameter, respectively. Regardless of the passage number, all constructs developed a glossy white cartilaginous appearance, similar to native auricular cartilage. Histologic analysis demonstrated development of an organized perichondrium composed of collagen, a rich proteoglycan matrix, cellular lacunae, and a dense elastin fibrin network by Safranin-O and Verhoeff stain. Biochemical analysis confirmed similar amounts of proteoglycan and hydroxyproline content in late passage constructs when compared with native auricular cartilage. CONCLUSIONS:These data indicate that late passage HAuCs (up to passage 5) form elastic cartilage that is histologically, biochemically, and biomechanically similar to native human elastic cartilage and have the potential to be used for auricular cartilage engineering.

Project description:Microtia is a congenital deformity of the ear with an incidence of about 0.8-4.2 per 10,000 births. Total auricular reconstruction is the preferred treatment of microtia at present, and one of the core technologies is the preparation of cartilage scaffolds. Autologous costal cartilage is recognized as the best material source for constructing scaffold platforms. However, costal cartilage harvest can lead to donor-site injuries such as pneumothorax, postoperative pain, chest wall scar and deformity. Therefore, with the need of alternative to autologous cartilage, in vitro and in vivo studies of biomaterial scaffolds and cartilage tissue engineering have gradually become novel research hot points in auricular reconstruction research. Tissue-engineered cartilage possesses obvious advantages including non-rejection, minimally invasive or non-invasive, the potential of large-scale production to ensure sufficient donors and controllable morphology. Exploration and advancements of tissue-engineered cartilaginous framework are also emerging in aspects including three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds, acquisition of seed cells and chondrocytes, 3D printing techniques, inducing factors for chondrogenesis and so on, which has greatly promoted the research process of biomaterial substitute. This review discussed the development, current application and research progress of cartilage tissue engineering in auricular reconstruction, particularly the usage and creation of biomaterial scaffolds. The development and selection of various types of seed cells and inducing factors to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation in auricular cartilage were also highlighted. There are still confronted challenges before the clinical application becomes widely available for patients, and its long-term effect remains to be evaluated. We hope to provide guidance for future research directions of biomaterials as an alternative to autologous cartilage in ear reconstruction, and finally benefit the transformation and clinical application of cartilage tissue engineering and biomaterials in microtia treatment.

Dataset Information

Biomechanical Characterisation of the Human Auricular Cartilages; Implications for Tissue Engineering.

Publications

Biomechanical Characterisation of the Human Auricular Cartilages; Implications for Tissue Engineering.

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