A 3D, Dynamically Loaded Hydrogel Model of the Osteochondral Unit to Study Osteocyte Mechanobiology.

ABSTRACT: Osteocytes are mechanosensitive cells that orchestrate signaling in bone and cartilage across the osteochondral unit. The mechanisms by which osteocytes regulate osteochondral homeostasis and degeneration in response to mechanical cues remain unclear. This study introduces a novel 3D hydrogel bilayer composite designed to support osteocyte differentiation and bone matrix deposition in a bone-like layer and to recapitulate key aspects of the osteochondral unit's complex loading environment. The bilayer hydrogel is fabricated with a soft cartilage-like layer overlaying a stiff bone-like layer. The bone-like layer contains a stiff 3D-printed hydrogel structure infilled with a soft, degradable, cellular hydrogel. The IDG-SW3 cells embedded within the soft hydrogel mature into osteocytes and pr

SUBMITTER: Wilmoth RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7677224 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature