Protocol for microindentation analysis of human cartilage and methacrylated gelatin hydrogels with varying stiffness in ATDC5 cell cultures

Han Wang; Tianyou Kan; Lin Sun; Hanjun Li; Liao Wang; Mengning Yan; Zhifeng Yu

STAR Protocols (Mar 2025)

Protocol for microindentation analysis of human cartilage and methacrylated gelatin hydrogels with varying stiffness in ATDC5 cell cultures

Han Wang,
Tianyou Kan,
Lin Sun,
Hanjun Li,
Liao Wang,
Mengning Yan,
Zhifeng Yu

Affiliations

Han Wang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
Tianyou Kan: Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
Lin Sun: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
Hanjun Li: Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
Liao Wang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
Mengning Yan: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China; Corresponding author
Zhifeng Yu: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6, no. 1
p. 103511

Abstract

Read online

Summary: Here, we present a protocol for evaluating mechanical properties of human cartilage specimens and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogels with varying Young’s moduli for cultures of ATDC5 chondrocytes using microindentation. We describe steps for preparing human cartilage specimens and hydrogels, culturing ATDC5 cells, and assessing the stiffness. This protocol was designed to facilitate reproducibility in biomechanical assays of chondrocytes.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Kan et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Published in STAR Protocols

ISSN: 2666-1667 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General)
Website: https://star-protocols.cell.com/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords