Biochemical Methods for the Analysis of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage

There have been significant advances in cartilage-engineering methodology in recent years, particularly in the production of biodegradable scaffolds and the use of bioreactors to improve the outcome of the engineering process. To date, engineered cartilage studies have mostly relied on histochemical and immunohistochemical methods for the characterization of the engineered cartilage matrix. The detection of various matrix components using these methods may not be sufficient to judge the quality of engineered cartilage and compare it objectively to natural cartilage. In order for cartilage tissue engineering to progress to the clinic, quantitative methods for the analysis of different matrix components will be required to monitor and ensure the quality of engineered cartilage.