Hajmousa, G. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2026

Dynamic suspension culture enhances scalable maturation of hiPSC-derived cartilage organoids for regenerative medicine

BackgroundCartilage tissue engineering requires scalable culture strategies to produce high-quality organoids. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a renewable source of chondrogenic cells. However, conventional static 3D culture limits tissue maturation, reproducibility, and scalability. Dynamic culture systems may help overcome these limitations, although their application for hiPSC-derived cartilage maturation remains poorly explored. MethodsIn this study, we established and validated a dynamic suspension bioreactor culture platform (CERO, OLS) for scalable maturation of hiPSC-derived chondroprogenitor cells (hiCPCs) into cartilage organoids populated by biomimetic human induced chondrocytes (hiCHOs). Key culture parameters, including aggregate preparation strategy, agitation speed, and maturation duration, were systematically evaluated. Cartilage maturation under dynamic and conventional static culture conditions was assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry, biochemical assays, organoid size measurements, and gene expression (RT-qPCR). In addition, the functional integration of optimized organoids was evaluated in a human osteochondral explant model. ResultsPre-formed manually picked hiCPC aggregates showed improved cartilage formation compared with single-cell seeding or pelleted aggregates in the bioreactor. Dynamic suspension culture promoted increased construct growth, enhanced ECM deposition, and a more favourable cartilage-associated molecular phenotype compared with static culture. HiCHO organoids matured under dynamic suspension conditions displayed increased sulphated glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan deposition together with higher expression of cartilage-associated genes ACAN, COMP, MGP, and COL2A1. Although prolonged static maturation alone supported continued cartilage development, introducing dynamic suspension culture during later maturation stages further reinforced favourable molecular and matrix-associated features. Importantly, hiCHO organoids generated under optimized dynamic culture conditions successfully filled human cartilage defects and established matrix continuity with surrounding native tissue in a human osteochondral ex vivo explant model. ConclusionsThis study shows that dynamic suspension culture is an effective and scalable strategy for maturation of hiPSC-derived cartilage organoids. Consequently, this approach supports reproducible neo-cartilage production and allows functional testing in human tissue models. These findings support the use of dynamic culture systems for cartilage repair and in vitro/ex vivo cartilage research.

Cell Biology↗

bioRxiv2022

A high-impact COL6A3 mutation alters the response of chondrocytes in neo-cartilage organoids to hyper-physiologic mechanical loading

ObjectivesThe etiology of osteoarthritis revolves around the interplay between genetic predisposition and perturbing environmental cues, such as mechanical stress. The pericellular matrix, with its hallmark proteins collagen type VI and fibronectin, surrounds chondrocytes and is critical in transducing the biomechanical cues. The objective is to study the functional effects of an OA disease-risk mutation in COL6A3 in interaction with hyper-physiological mechanical cues in a tailored human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived cartilage organoid model. MethodTo identify pathogenic OA mutations exome sequencing in symptomatic OA patients was performed. To study functional effects, CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering was used to introduce the mutation in our established human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived in-vitro neo-cartilage organoid model in interaction with hyper-physiological mechanical loading conditions. ResultsA high-impact mutation in COL6A3 was identified that resulted in significantly lower binding between the PCM proteins COLVI and fibronectin (FN) and provoked an osteoarthritic chondrocyte state. Moreover, aberrant function of the PCM, secondary to the COL6A3 mutation, abolished the initial stress responses marked particularly by upregulation of PTGS2 encoding cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), after hyper-physiological mechanical loading conditions. ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that ablating the characteristic transient COX-2 response after injurious mechanical cues may have a direct negative impact on chondrocyte health. What is already knownO_LIThe etiology of osteoarthritis revolves around the interplay between genetic predisposition and perturbing environmental cues, such as mechanical stress. C_LIO_LIThe pericellular matrix, with its hallmark proteins collagen type VI and fibronectin, surrounds the chondrocytes and is critical in transducing biomechanical cues from the extracellular matrix to chondrocytes henceforth it determines the chondrocyte mechanical environment. C_LIO_LIThe mechanical environment of the chondrocytes is a critical factor that influences chondrocyte health as it determines the balance between synthesis and degradation of the articular cartilage extracellular matrix. C_LI What this study addsO_LIA sustainable human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived in-vitro neo-cartilage organoid model that is tailored to study detailed biologic effects of mechanical cues to chondrocytes. C_LIO_LIAn OA disease-risk mutation in COL6A3 reduces the binding between collagen type VI to fibronectin and provoked an osteoarthritic chondrocyte state. C_LIO_LIUpon hyper-physiological mechanical loading, aberrant function of the pericellular matrix, secondary to the COL6A3 mutation, ablates the initial transient inflammatory response, characterized particularly by PTGS2 encoding cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). C_LI How this study might affect research practice or policyO_LIInhibiting COX-2, as an important transient inflammatory response after hyper-physiological mechanical cues, could worsen the loss of structural integrity of the cartilage in osteoarthritis patients. Henceforth, prescription of COX-2 inhibitors as pain treatment for OA patients should be reconsidered. C_LI

molecular biology↗