@article{WeberFischerDamerauetal., author = {Weber, Marie-Christin and Fischer, Lisa and Damerau, Alexandra and Ponomarev, Igor and Pfeiffenberger, Moritz and Gaber, Timo and G{\"o}tschel, Sebastian and Lang, Jens and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and Buttgereit, Frank and Ehrig, Rainald and Lang, Annemarie}, title = {In vitro and in silico modeling of cellular and matrix-related changes during the early phase of osteoarthritis}, series = {BioRxiv}, journal = {BioRxiv}, doi = {10.1101/725317}, abstract = {Understanding the pathophysiological processes of osteoarthritis (OA) require adequate model systems. Although different in vitro or in vivo models have been described, further comprehensive approaches are needed to study specific parts of the disease. This study aimed to combine in vitro and in silico modeling to describe cellular and matrix-related changes during the early phase of OA. We developed an in vitro OA model based on scaffold-free cartilage-like constructs (SFCCs), which was mathematically modeled using a partial differential equation (PDE) system to resemble the processes during the onset of OA. SFCCs were produced from mesenchymal stromal cells and analyzed weekly by histology and qPCR to characterize the cellular and matrix-related composition. To simulate the early phase of OA, SFCCs were treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and examined after 3 weeks or cultivated another 3 weeks without inflammatory cytokines to validate the regeneration potential. Mathematical modeling was performed in parallel to the in vitro experiments. SFCCs expressed cartilage-specific markers, and after stimulation an increased expression of inflammatory markers, matrix degrading enzymes, a loss of collagen II (Col-2) and a reduced cell density was observed which could be partially reversed by retraction of stimulation. Based on the PDEs, the distribution processes within the SFCCs, including those of IL-1β, Col-2 degradation and cell number reduction was simulated. By combining in vitro and in silico methods, we aimed to develop a valid, efficient alternative approach to examine and predict disease progression and new therapeutic strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{LangFischerWeberetal., author = {Lang, Annemarie and Fischer, Lisa and Weber, Marie-Christin and Gaber, Timo and Ehrig, Rainald and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and Buttgereit, Frank}, title = {Combining in vitro simulation and in silico modelling towards a sophisticated human osteoarthritis model}, series = {Osteoarthritis and Cartilage}, volume = {27}, journal = {Osteoarthritis and Cartilage}, doi = {10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.277}, pages = {S183}, abstract = {Our project aimed at building an in silico model based on our recently developed in vitro osteoarthritis (OA) model seeking for refinement of the model to enhance validity and translatability towards the more sophisticated simulation of OA. In detail, the previously 3D in vitro model is based on 3D chondrogenic constructs generated solely from human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). Besides studying the normal state of the model over 3 weeks, the in vitro model was treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) to mimic an OA-like environment.}, language = {en} } @article{WeberFischerDamerauetal., author = {Weber, Marie-Christin and Fischer, Lisa and Damerau, Alexandra and Ponomarev, Igor and Pfeiffenberger, Moritz and Gaber, Timo and G{\"o}tschel, Sebastian and Lang, Jens and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and Buttgereit, Frank and Ehrig, Rainald and Lang, Annemarie}, title = {Macroscale mesenchymal condensation to study cytokine-driven cellular and matrix-related changes during cartilage degradation}, series = {Biofabrication}, volume = {12}, journal = {Biofabrication}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1088/1758-5090/aba08f}, abstract = {Understanding the pathophysiological processes of cartilage degradation requires adequate model systems to develop therapeutic strategies towards osteoarthritis (OA). Although different in vitro or in vivo models have been described, further comprehensive approaches are needed to study specific disease aspects. This study aimed to combine in vitro and in silico modeling based on a tissue-engineering approach using mesenchymal condensation to mimic cytokine-induced cellular and matrix-related changes during cartilage degradation. Thus, scaffold-free cartilage-like constructs (SFCCs) were produced based on self-organization of mesenchymal stromal cells (mesenchymal condensation) and i) characterized regarding their cellular and matrix composition or secondly ii) treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) for 3 weeks to simulate OA-related matrix degradation. In addition, an existing mathematical model based on partial differential equations was optimized and transferred to the underlying settings to simulate distribution of IL-1β, type II collagen degradation and cell number reduction. By combining in vitro and in silico methods, we aim to develop a valid, efficient alternative approach to examine and predict disease progression and effects of new therapeutics.}, language = {en} }