What effect did equiaxial mechanical loading have on gene expression in biphasic scaffolds?

The upregulation of aggrecans in the outer region of biphasic scaffolds due to equiaxial mechanical loading indicates a positive response to mechanical stimuli, promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) production, which is crucial for tissue engineering. Aggrecans are key components of cartilage and play an important role in providing structural integrity and resilience to the ECM.

Mechanical loading is known to influence cellular responses and metabolic activity, leading to changes in gene expression. In the context of tissue engineering, particularly with biphasic scaffolds designed to mimic the layered structure of natural tissues, the outer region often experiences different mechanical environments compared to the inner region. The outer region is typically subjected to more mechanical stress, which can stimulate chondrocytes or other relevant cells to enhance the production of aggrecan.

The focus on aggrecans supports the notion that the mechanical environment has a significant influence on the phenotype and functionality of the cells within the scaffold—an important concept in the field of tissue engineering, where mimicking the native tissue environment is essential for successful regeneration. This highlights the importance of mechanical loading in promoting specific gene expression patterns that align with the desired tissue properties.