Tissue engineering is a promising option for cartilage repair. However, several hurdles still need to be overcome to develop functional tissue constructs suitable for implantation. One of the most common challenges is the general low capacity of chondrocytes to synthesize cartilage-specific extracellular matrix (ECM). While different approaches have been explored to improve the biosynthetic response of chondrocytes, several studies have demonstrated that the nutritional environment (e.g., glucose concentration and media volume) can have a profound effect on ECM synthesis. Thus, the purpose of this study was to optimize the formulation of cell culture media to upregulate the accumulation of cartilaginous ECM constituents (i.e., proteoglycans and collagen) by chondrocytes in 3D culture. Using response surface methodology, four different media factors (basal media, media volume, glucose,

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Unlike other self-repairing tissues, cartilage has a very low regenerative capacity, thus, giving reason to examine different approaches to potential reparative therapies such as tissue engineering. Although once chondrocytes are placed in vitro they start to synthesize less cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM). A promising method used to upregulate the synthesis of ECM constituents is new media formulations. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore different media formulations to upregulate the accumulation of cartilaginous extracellular matrix (specifically, proteoglycans and collagen) by providing the cells with different availability of nutrients (e.g. glucose, glutamine) as well as examining the influence of different basal media formulations. The accumulation of GAG and collagen had two different media formulations which showed a significant increase in upregulation of each constituent in the ECM; highlighting the importance of having new media formulations specifically geared to each constituent.

Unlike other self-repairing tissues, cartilage has a very low regenerative capacity, thus, giving reason to examine different approaches to potential reparative therapies such as tissue engineering. Although once chondrocytes are placed in vitro they start to synthesize less cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM). A promising method used to upregulate the synthesis of ECM constituents is new media formulations. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore different media formulations to upregulate the accumulation of cartilaginous extracellular matrix (specifically, proteoglycans and collagen) by providing the cells with different availability of nutrients (e.g. glucose, glutamine) as well as examining the influence of different basal media formulations. The accumulation of GAG and collagen had two different media formulations which showed a significant increase in upregulation of each constituent in the ECM; highlighting the importance of having new media formulations specifically geared to each constituent.