Influence of Temporary Chondroitinase ABC-induced GAG Suppression on Maturation of Tissue Engineered Cartilage

Introduction: A fundamental challenge of cartilage tissue engineering has been the inability to promote collagen synthesis up to native levels [1]. In contrast, recent protocols have demonstrated that glycosaminoglycans can be synthesized to native levels in 4 to 6 weeks of in vitro culture [2]. We hypothesize that rapid GAG synthesis may be an impediment to collagen synthesis, possibly by altering transport pathways of nutrients or synthesis products. In this study, this hypothesis is tested by inducing enzymatic GAG loss in the early culture period of cartilage tissue constructs, and monitoring collagen content at various time points following cessation of enzymatic treatment.