Effects of static and dynamic compression on tissue engineered cartilage

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of static and dynamic compression on the synthesis of matrix proteins by tissue engineered cartilage. Cartilage was harvested from the patellofemoral groove of calves. Chondrocytes were isolated, seeded onto poly-glycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds, and cultured for two weeks. The constructs were then subjected to static compression (up to 50%) either alone or with superimposed dynamic oscillations (5% amplitude and 0.001-0.1 Hz frequencies) for 24 hours in medium containing 35S-sulfate and 3H-proline. Medium and construct samples were analyzed for DNA, 35S-GAG, and 3H-protein content.