Bio-Instructive Scaffolds for Musculoskeletal Interfaces

Tissue interfaces are integral to the function of many tissues and for the synchronous interaction amongst tissues to create a functional whole organism. From a tissue engineering perspective, the interface presents a unique challenge compared to designing a scaffold to replace or repair bulk tissue. It is at the interface that one tissue ends and another begins and where the forces and biochemistry must be correctly transferred so that the connected tissues coordinate to function as a whole. Tissue interfaces are critical to ultimately fulfill the mechanical, physical, and biochemical responses necessary within the body. This chapter will cover the following musculoskeletal interfaces: muscle:tendon (myotendinous), motor neuron:muscle fiber (neuromuscular junctions), cartilage:bone (osteochondral), bone:tendon (osteotendinous), and bone:ligament (osteoligamentous). Key parameters for these musculoskeletal interfaces, such as relevant design rationales, the structure-function relationships, and the formation and maintenance of multitissue systems, will be reviewed and discussed.