Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease affecting over 500 million people globally, particularly in the knee, leading to significant disability and socioeconomic impacts. OA is marked by joint issues such as subchondral bone loss, synovitis, ligament instability, and particularly, articular cartilage degradation, which results in pain and limited joint function. Current treatments primarily manage pain without halting disease progression, often necessitating joint replacement surgery. Innovative approaches in tissue engineering, stem cells, and 3D printing are being explored to regenerate cartilage and potentially stop OA progression.
This thesis of Alejandro Reina Mahecha investigates OA pathology and aims to create in vitro cartilage. Here it is examined articular cartilage from OA patients, replicating its proteoglycan depletion using bovine cartilage and chondroitinase ABC, which showed similar matrix changes. Furthermore, details a 3D-printed biocompatible mold developed via VAT Photopolymerization to produce homogeneous spheroid cell aggregates, supporting stem cell aggregation in PDMS-based wells. In this thesis these aggregates are combined with growth factors GDF-5, TGFβ-3, and BMP-2 to encourage chondrocyte differentiation, mimicking cartilage properties necessary for OA treatment.
This thesis also reviews bioreactors in cartilage engineering, identifying optimal mechanical stimulation settings. Finally, this thesis introduces a 3D-printed bioreactor chamber designed to enhance mechanical properties in cartilage disks through stimulation, which improved glycosaminoglycan and ECM deposition, resembling healthy cartilage. This approach, combining 3D printing, pluripotent stem cells, and bioreactors, shows promise for advancing OA treatment and regenerative medicine applications.
