Anna Asanbaeva, Koichi Masuda, Eugene J.-M. A. Thonar, Stephen M. Klisch, Robert L. Sah
The objective of this study was to examine the cartilage growth-associated effects of a disruption in the balance between the swelling pressure of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the restraining function of the collagen network, by diminishing GAG content prior to culture using enzymatic treatment with chondroitinase ABC. The authors concluded that the data demonstrates that a manipulation of GAG content in articular cartilage explants can distinctly alter the growth phenotype of cartilage. This may have practical utility for tissue engineering and cartilage repair. For example, the expansive growth phenotype may be useful to fill cartilage defects, while the maturational growth phenotype may be useful to induce matrix stabilization after filling defect spaces.
Arthritis and Rheumatism, Volume 56, Issue 1 , Pages 188 – 198