Influence of Interleukin Treatment on Engineered and Native Articular Cartilage

Injury to the diarthrodial joint is often associated with elevated levels of cytokines and other inflammatory molecules. While the influence of interleukin on articular cartilage has been well-studied, its effects on engineered cartilage are not. The presence of inflammatory factors in the injured joint would be expected to affect the performance of implanted engineered cartilage repair tissue [1] and this effect may be especially pronounced in underdeveloped tissues [2]. The current study addresses this issue by examining the influence of interleukin (IL-1α and IL-1β) on engineered cartilage mechanical and biochemical properties at sequential stages of development. Furthermore, dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory steroid that has been shown in some cases to suppress interleukin-induced degradation of native cartilage [3], was examined in the context of engineered constructs.