Tissue Engineered Cartilage in Unconfined Compression: Biomechanical Analysis

Abstract In this work we analyzed the mechanical properties of agarose and related the changes in those properties occurring in agarose-chondrocyte constructs cultured under dynamic compression (72 h, 1 Hz, 10%) and positive metabolic outcomes of the culture with intrinsic mechanical parameters. Outcomes such as stiffening and delayed stress relaxation of the agarose gels, increased metabolic activity and gene expression of extracellular matrix proteins are related with maximum fluid velocities of 2-15 μm.s -1 , maximum shear stresses of 0.02-0.18 Pa, maximum and minimum principal strains of 0.0125-0.055 and 0.0275-0.105 respectively.