Characterisation of native and decellularised porcine tendon under tension and compression : a closer look at glycosaminoglycan contribution to tendon mechanics

Solis-Cordova, Jacqueline and Edwards, Jennifer H. and Fermor, Hazel L. and Riches, Phil and Brockett, Claire L. and Herbert, Anthony (2023) Characterisation of native and decellularised porcine tendon under tension and compression : a closer look at glycosaminoglycan contribution to tendon mechanics. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 139. 105671. ISSN 1751-6161 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105671)

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Abstract

Decellularised porcine superflexor tendon (pSFT) has been characterised as a suitable scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament replacement, with dimensions similar to hamstring tendon autograft. However, decellularisation of tissues may reduce or damage extracellular matrix components, leading to undesirable biomechanical changes at a whole tissue scale. Although the role of collagen in tendons is well established, the mechanical contribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is less evident and could be altered by the decellularisation process. In this study, the contribution of GAGs to the tensile and compressive mechanical properties of pSFT was determined and whether decellularisation affected these properties by reducing GAG content or functionality. PSFTs were either enzymatically treated using chondroitinase ABC to remove GAGs or decellularised using previously established methods. Native, GAG-depleted and decellularised pSFT groups were then subjected to quantitative assays and biomechanical characterisation. In tension, specimens underwent stress relaxation and strength testing. In compression, specimens underwent confined compression testing. The GAG-depleted group was found to have a significantly lower GAG content than native and decellularised groups. There was no significant difference in GAG content between native and decellularised groups. Although stress relaxation testing discovered a reduction in the time-independent relaxation modulus in the decellularised group, there were no other significant differences between any of the groups for any of the remaining parameters assessed with stress relaxation or strength testing in tension. In compression testing, the aggregate modulus was found to be significantly lower in the GAG-depleted group than the native and decellularised groups, while the permeability was significantly higher in the GAG-depleted group than the decellularised group. The results indicate that GAGs significantly contribute to the mechanical properties of pSFT in compression, but not in tension. Furthermore, the content and function of GAGs in pSFTs are unaffected by decellularisation and the mechanical properties of the tissue are retained.

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