Capturing Essential Physiological Aspects of Interacting Cartilage and Bone Tissue with Osteoarthritis Pathophysiology: A Human Osteochondral Unit‐on‐a‐Chip Model

Given the multi-tissue aspects of osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology, translation OA susceptibility genes towards underlying biological mechanism and eventually drug target discovery requires appropriate human in vitro models that incorporate both functional bone cartilage tissue units. Therefore, a microfluidic chip is developed with an integrated fibrous polycaprolactone matrix which neo-bone are produced, could serve as tailored disease model osteochondral unit joints. The enables to evaluate OA-related environmental perturbations (individual) units by controlling cues, for example adding biochemical agents. After establishing co-culture system, layer cartilaginous deposited chondrogenic compartment, while bone-like between fibers, indicated histology gene expression levels collagen type 2 osteopontin, respectively. As proof-of-principle, exposed active thyroid hormone, creating model. This results increased hypertrophy markers integrin-binding sialoprotein alkaline phosphatase bone, expected. Altogether, this contribute enhanced from risk novel therapies.