Matrix Remodeling Accompanies In Vitro Articular Cartilage Shaping

Articular cartilage (AC) supports and distributes loads in synovial joints while maintaining a nearly frictionless surface. Successful replacement of large AC defects with an osteochondral graft requires an appropriate geometrical match with the defect region. ¹ In AC, collagen (COL) provides tensile support to the tissue, and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) provide a fixed negative charge that produce swelling and contribute to the compressive properties of the tissue. ² Previous studies ( Fig. 1) have shown that 4 days of bending can reshape immature AC, but without a change in the total COL and GAG concentrations. ³ We hypothesized that more localized COL and/or GAG remodeling occurs during AC reshaping and may support the shape change. The objective of this study was to determine the presence, magnitude and depth-dependence of COL and GAG remodeling that accompany the shape change of AC.