Journal article
Microstructure and matrix-filled lacunae impact mechanical response of temporomandibular joint cartilage under physiological loading
Osteoarthritis and cartilage, v 33(12), pp 1465-1474
Dec 2025
PMID: 40962133
Abstract
To compare cell morphology, extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, microstructure, and mechanical response to dynamic physiological loading between knee and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condylar cartilage to better understand the unique fibro-hyaline bilayer structure of TMJ condylar cartilage.
Cartilage samples were harvested from the femoral and TMJ condyles of the same pigs. Cell morphology was quantified using confocal imaging and 3D image analysis. Total extracellular matrix (ECM) composition was assessed histologically, and the spatial distribution and synthesis rates of nascent glycosaminoglycans and collagen were measured using a new click chemistry technique. Mechanical properties and phase lag were evaluated across a range of loading magnitudes and frequencies to simulate physiological dynamic loading conditions.
TMJ condylar cartilage exhibited a distinct hyaline microstructure compared to knee cartilage, including higher cell density (3.6 [3.1 4.2] vs 1.7 [1.3 2.2] · 104 cells/mm3, p=0.03), smaller chondrocytes (642 [611 672] vs 1247 [1187 1306] μm3, p<0.001), enlarged cell lacunae densely filled with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and narrowed interterritorial spaces enriched in collagen. These spatial features contributed to a load-responsive mechanical behavior. At low physiological stresses (e.g., during speech), TMJ cartilage remained compliant, while under higher stresses (e.g., chewing), it exhibited stiffness comparable to knee cartilage.
TMJ condylar cartilage displays a distinct hyaline microstructure characterized by matrix-filled lacunae, high cell density, and narrow collagen-rich interterritorial spaces. These features underlie its ability to remain compliant under low stress and stiffen under high stress, supporting its load-dependent mechanical function when speaking and chewing.
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Details
- Title
- Microstructure and matrix-filled lacunae impact mechanical response of temporomandibular joint cartilage under physiological loading
- Creators
- Annie Porter - University of DelawareYing Peng - University of DelawareMichael H. Santare - University of DelawareLin Han - Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health SystemsJohn M. Peloquin - University of DelawareX. Lucas Lu - University of Delaware
- Publication Details
- Osteoarthritis and cartilage, v 33(12), pp 1465-1474
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship: P20GM139760 Helwig Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware
This work was financially supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant R01AR074472 (to XL), Grant R21DE029567 (to LH), and Delaware Center for Musculoskeletal Research from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under grant number P20GM139760. AP was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship and the Helwig Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware.r P20GM139760. AP was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship and the Helwig Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001628066500007
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105016471639
- Other Identifier
- 991022098543104721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology