A mathematical model for cell infiltration and proliferation in a chondral defect

Abstract

We develop a mathematical model to describe the regeneration of a hydrogel inserted into an ex vivo osteochondral explant. Specifically we use partial differential equations to describe the evolution of two populations of cells that migrate from the tissue surrounding the defect, proliferate, and compete for space and resources within the hydrogel. The two cell populations are chondrocytes and cells that infiltrate from the subchondral bone. Model simulations are used to investigate how different seeding strategies and growth factor placement within the hydrogel affect the spatial distribution of both cell types. Since chondrocyte migration is extremely slow, we conclude that the hydrogel should be seeded with chondrocytes prior to culture in order to obtain zonal chondrocyte distributions typical of those associated with healthy cartilage.

Keywords: Cartilage; Hydrogel; Osteochondral; Tissue engineering.