Effects of tissue culture on the biomechanical properties of porcine meniscus explants.

Abstract

The meniscus is critical for the normal functioning of the knee joint. The specific aim of this study was to validate an in vitro culture model of meniscus explants for testing the impact of culture conditions on meniscus biomechanical properties. We hypothesized that culturing menisci in the presence of intermediate and high concentration of serum would have a positive effect on the compressive stiffness of the meniscus. Unconstrained microindentation testing was performed on porcine meniscus explants cultured with varying concentrations 1%, 5%, or 10% of fetal bovine serum media. Meniscus explants that were not cultured were used as a control. These tests quantified the Young's Modulus of the listed groups of cultured and uncultured explant tissues. The Young's modulus for 10% cultured explants were significantly higher compared to the control, 1%, and 5% cultured meniscus explants. There was no statistical significance when the Young's modulus between control, 1%, and 5% cultured explants were compared. These results suggest that low concentrations of serum do not impart an anabolic effect on meniscus tissue explant biomechanical properties.