Modulation of Chondrocyte Phenotype by Bioreactor Assisted Static Compression in a 3D Polymeric Scaffold with Potential Implications to Functional Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Functional cartilage tissue engineering aims at augmenting the regeneration process of chondrocyte seeded three dimensional scaffolds by application of external biomechanical stimuli. The effect of static compressive stimuli in modulating the phenotype of chondrocytes cultured in porous scaffolds using a bioreactor is being investigated in the present study. Chondrocytes were seeded in porous Poly (vinyl) alcohol-Poly capro lactone scaffold and was subjected to static unconfined compressive strain of 10% for 1h everyday for a period of 7days using a bioreactor. After culture period, chondrogenic phenotype of seeded cells was assessed by live dead assay, biochemical histological and real time PCR analysis. Bioreactor seems to be a promising tool in delivering the desired biomechanical stimuli to the cell seeded constructs. However, application of biomechanical stimuli in the form of static compression doesn’t seem beneficial as it modulates chondrogenic phenotype by reverting to a fibroblastic morphology with the secretion of collagen type 1 extra cellular matrix molecules