An Overview of Approaches and Evaluation Methods for Tissue-Engineered Articular Cartilage Constructs in Animal Models.

Abstract

One of the predominant clinical challenges faced by orthopedic practitioners and researchers is the regeneration of articular cartilage. Articular cartilage lesions and/or defects, as well as degeneration, are the primary causes of knee cartilage impairment. Tissue-engineered articular cartilage constructs are being developed to restore articular cartilage. Recent developments in the design of biomaterials have enabled the creation of many promising biomaterials for articular cartilage restoration. The purpose of this review is to provide researchers in the field of tissue engineering with a general overview of the approaches being used to examine articular cartilage and the evaluation methods being used to assess tissue-engineered constructs in animal models. Most tissue-engineered cartilage constructs tested in animal models are evaluated at least macroscopically and histologically. Furthermore, ICRS gross morphology scoring, immunohistochemistry, biochemical assays, biomechanical testing, gene expression analysis, and imaging techniques have been used to evaluate the regeneration potential of tissue-engineered constructs. This review also presents a comprehensive summary of the animal models used in the evaluation of tissue-engineered constructs for cartilage regeneration.