The Importance of Mechanical Stimulation in Cartilage Formation: Applications of Bioreactors

Articular cartilage in native joints is subject to a complex mechanical milieu in terms of load and motion patterns. Biomechanical stimuli play a key role in cartilage formation and maintenance of cartilage homeostasis. In cartilage tissue engineering, it is favorable to implement bioreactors, which are devices that can exert biomechanical loadings in vitro. Cartilage-specific bioreactors simulate native mechanical stimuli to favor neo-tissue formation. In this chapter, we first introduce the biochemical and biomechanical characteristics of articular cartilage, and highlight the properties, developments, and applications of bioreactors in cartilage tissue engineering. Then, the underlying mechanisms of mechanotransduction in chondrogenic cells are addressed. Furthermore, new perspectives for mechanically stimulated cartilage models are illustrated.