Inflammatory cytokines and mechanical injury induce post-traumatic osteoarthritis-like changes in a human cartilage-bone-synovium microphysiological system.

Background: Traumatic knee injuries in humans trigger an immediate increase in synovial fluid levels of inflammatory cytokines that accompany impact damage to joint tissues. We developed a human in vitro cartilage-bone-synovium (CBS) coculture model to study the role of mechanical injury and inflammation in the initiation of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA)-like disease.

Methods: Osteochondral plugs (cartilage-bone, CB) along with joint capsule synovium explants (S) were harvested from 25 cadaveric distal femurs from 16 human donors (Collin's grade 0-2, 23-83years).