CNT-decellularized cartilage hybrids for tissue engineering applications

An optimized scaffold with adaptable architectural and biochemical properties is a goal for articular cartilage (AC) repair. A mechanically enhanced decellularized AC can be an optimistic ECM-derived scaffold. In this study, reinforced decellularized bovine AC was evaluated as a potential scaffold for cartilage repair applications. Individually dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into chemically decellularized bovine AC samples. The mechanical and thermodynamic properties as well as the biocompatibility of the samples were evaluated by a compressive test, SEM, AFM, FTIR, TGA, DSC and a resazurin test. The Young's modulus of the CNT-incorporated samples (0.67 ± 0.09 MPa) was significantly higher compared to the decellularized ones (0.43 ± 0.06 MPa) (P = 0.001). A higher cell proliferation in the resazurin reduction test after 7 days in culture with human-adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) (P < 0.001) was reconfirmed with SEM. FTIR, TGA and DSC confirmed the higher stability when CNT was incorporated into the decellularized AC samples. Our findings indicate that the incorporation of CNTs can substantially enhance the mechanical properties of decellularized AC while retaining its biocompatibility, hence suggesting CNT-incorporated decellularized AC as potential scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering applications.