Flexural Properties of Native and Tissue-Engineered Human Septal Cartilage

Objective. To determine and compare the bending moduli of native and engineered human septal cartilage. Study Design. Prospective, basic science. Setting. Research laboratory. Subjects and Methods. Neocartilage constructs were fabricated from expanded human septal chondrocytes cultured in differentiation medium for 10 weeks. Constructs (n = 10) and native septal cartilage (n = 5) were tested in a 3-point bending apparatus, and the bending moduli were calculated using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Results. All samples were tested successfully and returned to their initial shape after unloading. The bending modulus of engineered constructs (0.32 +/- 0.25 MPa, mean +/- SD) was 16% of that of native septal cartilage (1.97 +/- 1.25 MPa). Conclusion. Human septal constructs, fabricated from cultured human septal chondrocytes, are more compliant in bending than native human septal tissue. The bending modulus of engineered septal cartilage can be measured, and this modulus provides a useful measure of construct rigidity while undergoing maturation relative to native tissue.