Properties and Mechanobiological Behavior of Bovine Nasal Septum Cartilage

Abstract

Bovine nasal septum (BNS) is a source of non-load bearing hyaline cartilage. Little information is available on its mechanical and biological properties. The aim of this work was to assess the characteristics of BNS cartilage and investigate its behavior in in vitro mechanobiological experiments. Mechanical tests, biochemical assays, and microscopic assessment were performed for tissue characterization. Compressions tests showed that the tissue is viscoelastic, although values of elastic moduli differ from the ones of other cartilaginous tissues. Water content was 78 ± 1.4%; glycosaminoglycans and collagen contents-measured by spectrophotometric assay and hydroxyproline assay-were 39 ± 5% and 25 ± 2.5% of dry weight, respectively. Goldner's Trichrome staining and transmission electron microscopy proved isotropic cells distribution and results of earlier cell division. Furthermore, gene expression was measured after uniaxial compression, showing variations depending on compression time as well as trends depending on equilibration time. In conclusion, BNS has been characterized at several levels, revealing that bovine nasal tissue is regionally homogeneous. Results suggest that, under certain conditions, BNS could be used to perform in vitro cartilage loading experiments.

Contrast-Enhanced Micro–Computed Tomography for 3D Visualization and Quantification of Glycosaminoglycans in Different Cartilage Types

“…These findings are consistent with results from previous studies. 10,24,25 However, GAG content measured per tissue volume shows significant differences in all types compared with the articular cartilage ( Fig. 3C ).…”

“…19 Meniscal cartilage exhibits the lowest amount of GAGs of all cartilage types. 10,24,25 In the histology images, areas with localized GAGs are interspersed with fibrous unstained regions. In the microCT images, these fiber-rich regions correspond to areas with no color/attenuation.…”

Macromolecular Interactions in Cartilage Extracellular Matrix Vary According to the Cartilage Type and Location

“…Collagen content of nasal cartilage is reported to be ~25% to 40% of the dry weight, whereas collagen comprises 60% to 80% of dry weight in articular cartilage. 17 In both articular and nasal samples, some sGAG loss was seen even in blank groups, indicating sGAG was easily removed even without an active reagent. This could be due to weak attachment of GAG with the rest of the ECM, allowing them to leach into the buffer solutions.…”

“…However, this may also be due to lower collagen content in nasal cartilage which allows chondroitinase ABC to reach chondroitin sulphate chains more easily than in articular cartilage. Collagen content of nasal cartilage is reported to be ~25 -40% of the dry weight, whereas collagen comprises 60 -80% of dry weight in articular cartilage 17 . In both articular and nasal samples, some sGAG loss was seen even in blank groups, indicating sGAG was easily removed even without an active reagent.…”

Properties of the Nasal Cartilage, from Development to Adulthood: A Scoping Review

“… 75 Similarly, a decrease in elastic modulus was noted with age, which was attributed to NSC remodeling becoming more fibrous with age. 77 , 78 , 82 , 85 One study calculated the contribution of the perichondrium that lines the NSC to elastic modulus and deflection strength. 83 NSC with undisturbed perichondrium is 18% more effective in preserving shape.…”