Files and links (1)
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Micromechanical anisotropy and heterogeneity of the meniscus extracellular matrix
Acta biomaterialia, v 54, pp 356-366
May 2017
PMID: 28242455
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
[Display omitted]
To understand how the complex biomechanical functions of the meniscus are endowed by the nanostructure of its extracellular matrix (ECM), we studied the anisotropy and heterogeneity in the micromechanical properties of the meniscus ECM. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to quantify the time-dependent mechanical properties of juvenile bovine meniscus at deformation length scales corresponding to the diameters of collagen fibrils. At this scale, anisotropy in the elastic modulus of the circumferential fibers, the major ECM structural unit, can be attributed to differences in fibril deformation modes: uncrimping when normal to the fiber axis, and laterally constrained compression when parallel to the fiber axis. Heterogeneity among different structural units is mainly associated with their variations in microscale fiber orientation, while heterogeneity across anatomical zones is due to alterations in collagen fibril diameter and alignment at the nanoscale. Unlike the elastic modulus, the time-dependent properties are more homogeneous and isotropic throughout the ECM. These results enable a detailed understanding of the meniscus structure-mechanics at the nanoscale, and can serve as a benchmark for understanding meniscus biomechanical functions, documenting disease progression and designing tissue repair strategies.
Meniscal damage is a common cause of joint injury, which can lead to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis among young adults. Restoration of meniscus function requires repairing its highly heterogeneous and complex extracellular matrix. Employing AFM, this study quantifies the anisotropic and heterogeneous features of the meniscus ECM structure and mechanics. The micromechanical properties are interpreted within the context of the collagen fibril nanostructure and its variation with tissue anatomical locations. These results provide a fundamental structure-mechanics knowledge benchmark, against which, repair and regeneration strategies can be developed and evaluated with respect to the specialized structural and functional complexity of the native tissue.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Micromechanical anisotropy and heterogeneity of the meniscus extracellular matrix
- Creators
- Qing Li - Drexel UniversityFeini Qu - University of PennsylvaniaBiao Han - School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United StatesChao Wang - Drexel UniversityHao Li - Philadelphia UniversityRobert L. Mauck - University of PennsylvaniaLin Han - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Acta biomaterialia, v 54, pp 356-366
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000402342400030
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85014547597
- Other Identifier
- 991019168716904721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Materials Science, Biomaterials