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A Multi-Phase Approach to Tissue Engineering of the Temporomandibular Joint

Hagandora, Catherine (2014) A Multi-Phase Approach to Tissue Engineering of the Temporomandibular Joint. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

It is estimated that 10 million Americans are affected by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, a class of disorders encompassing symptoms such as jaw pain, functional disparities, and degenerative changes. In advanced cases, there is irreversible degradation of the articulating tissues of the joint. Due to the frequency and severity of these conditions, and the inadequacies of current replacement options, it is necessary to formulate tissue engineering strategies in order to restore TMJ anatomy and function. The objectives of this thesis were to further characterize the native TMJ fibrocartilage and identify effective methods and materials for tissue regeneration. As a first step, characterization of the native goat TMJ disc and condylar cartilage was performed. Bioactive magnesium ions and poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) were then investigated for their in-vitro potential to increase fibrocartilage production of goat costal fibrochondrocytes. Then, the response of human progenitor cells seeded in ECM scaffolds to mechanical stimulation was explored to better understand the in-vivo effectiveness of these scaffolds. Biomechanical, biochemical, and histological assessments were made to characterize both native and regenerated tissues. Gene expression analysis was also performed to determine the cellular response to mechanical stimulation within ECM scaffolds. The collagen content of the TMJ disc was found to be significantly greater than the condylar cartilage, while the opposite held for the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content. The mandibular condylar cartilage, despite having significantly higher GAG content, is significantly less stiff than the TMJ disc under compression. At high concentrations, magnesium ions allowed for fibrocartilage regeneration in-vitro, with constructs cultured in MgSO4 exhibiting a significantly higher collagen type II/I ratio than the control. PGS was investigated as a mechano-transductive scaffold material for TMJ tissue engineering. It was shown that PGS is a substrate conducive to fibrochondrocyte infiltration and ECM regeneration, with scaffolds exhibiting near-native compressive properties after a culture period of 4 weeks. The mechanical properties of PGS also allowed for the transmission of compressive forces from the scaffold to the cells, impacting the patterning of collagen type I deposition. Similarly, within the bioactive environment of ECM scaffolds, compressive mechanical loading resulted in increased fibrochondrogenic gene expression of human bone marrow stromal cells. The results demonstrate that there is a set of culture conditions, including bioactive ions and/or compressive loading, and scaffolds that will stimulate cells to produce fibrocartilage, providing the foundation for tissue-engineered solutions to TMJ disorders.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Hagandora, Catherinecakunkle@gmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee MemberBadylak, Stephen Fbadysx@upmc.edu
Committee MemberSfeir, Charlescsfeir@pitt.eduCSFEIR
Committee MemberWang, Yadongyaw20@pitt.eduYAW20
Thesis AdvisorAlmarza, Alejandroaja19@pitt.eduAJA19
Date: 19 September 2014
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 11 July 2014
Approval Date: 19 September 2014
Submission Date: 25 June 2014
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 186
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Bioengineering
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: tissue engineering, temporomandibular joint, fibrocartilage
Date Deposited: 19 Sep 2014 17:21
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:21
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22122

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