Establishment of an in vitro osteoarthritis model

The integrity of synovial joints with an intact surface of the articular cartilage and the optimal composition of the synovial fluid is crucial for their proper performance to guarantee low-friction movement. Inflammatory processes occurring in the course of degenerative diseases cause alterations of the synovial fluid as well as the cartilage surface leading to increases in friction phenomena and decreases in load support during motion and upon application of extrinsic load. We want to establish an in vitro arthrosis system by inducing degenerative alterations on articular cartilage of explants from porcine knee joints. Therefore, inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1 or TNF-alpha) and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) will be employed. Alterations of biomechanical properties of the treated cartilage plugs will be determined by friction measurements in a closed-circuit cartilage-on-cartilage system and indentation tests. Effects on matrix structure and expression performance of embedded chondrocytes of the same explant will be analysed using molecular biological and histological methods following the biomechanical characterization. This system will then be employed to test anti-inflammatory factors (e.g. TGF-beta) as well as lubricating agents for potential chondroprotective effects with respect to improvement of friction coefficient and elasticity as well as the reversal of catabolic to anabolic activity of chondrocytes.

Cooperation partner 

• AC2T research GmbH