Cationic Tantalum Oxide Nanoparticle and Neutral Iodixanol Contrast Agents Alter Cartilage Mechanical Properties.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
- 2Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Wellbeing Services County of North Savo, Kuopio, Finland.
- 3Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- 4Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- 5Center of Oncology, Kuopio University Hospital, Wellbeing Services County of North Savo, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract
Early detection of cartilage degeneration remains a critical unmet clinical need. While contrast-enhanced computed tomography shows promise in detecting early structural and compositional changes in articular cartilage, full adoption into clinical use requires a comprehensive understanding of how contrast agents affect cartilage function, including potential biomechanical alterations. This study investigates how exposure to two contrast agents, pre-clinical ultrasmall cationic tantalum oxide nanoparticles (Ta₂O₅-cNPs) and neutral iodixanol, approved for clinical use, affect the mechanical and frictional properties of articular cartilage. Biomechanical and tribological properties of osteochondral samples (n = 60) from adult bovine stifle joints (N = 9) were systematically assessed before and after contrast agent immersion using friction testing, stress-relaxation, and dynamic loading protocols. The effect of solid and charged contrast agents on extracellular matrix stiffness and fluid-flow properties was studied using finite element modeling, which enabled interpretation of the stress-relaxation response and extraction of constituent-specific mechanical parameters. The results demonstrate that Ta₂O₅-cNP uptake softens extracellular matrix of cartilage as non-fibrillar matrix modulus decreases (linear mixed model, p < 0.001). Both contrast agents reduce permeability and viscosity of cartilage. These findings highlight the sensitivity of articular cartilage mechanics to contrast-agent uptake and distribution within the tissue. The results underscore the importance of carefully considering nanoparticle charge and size together with other physicochemical properties, such as composition, concentration, surface chemistry, and tissue retention, when designing contrast agents for cartilage imaging or therapy.
Related
- Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Cationic mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticle from Mice to Non-Human Primates
- Delayed hypersensitivity reactions caused by iodixanol: An assessment of cross-reactivity in 22 patients
- Effects of keiser-assisted Nordic hamstring curl training on hamstring flexibility, mechanical properties, and pitching performance in high school baseball pitchers
- Mechanical properties of completely autologous human tissue engineered blood vessels compared to human saphenous vein and mammary artery
- Strategies of mechanical adaptations of circulating tumor cells and properties of their cellular microenvironment have predictive and prognostic biomarker value
BibTeX
@article{rissanen2026cationic,
title = {{Cationic Tantalum Oxide Nanoparticle and Neutral Iodixanol Contrast Agents Alter Cartilage Mechanical Properties.}},
author = {Maria Rissanen and Jiri Jäntti and Juuso Tuppurainen and Milka Poimala and Brian D Snyder and Mark W Grinstaff and Mika E Mononen and Miitu K M Honkanen and Janne T A Mäkelä},
journal = {Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/jor.70297},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895991},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cationic Tantalum Oxide Nanoparticle and Neutral Iodixanol Contrast Agents Alter Cartilage Mechanical Properties.
AU - Maria Rissanen
AU - Jiri Jäntti
AU - Juuso Tuppurainen
AU - Milka Poimala
AU - Brian D Snyder
AU - Mark W Grinstaff
AU - Mika E Mononen
AU - Miitu K M Honkanen
AU - Janne T A Mäkelä
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
DO - 10.1002/jor.70297
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895991
AB - Early detection of cartilage degeneration remains a critical unmet clinical need. While contrast-enhanced computed tomography shows promise in detecting early structural and compositional changes in articular cartilage, full adoption into clinical use requires a comprehensive understanding of how contrast agents affect cartilage function, including potential biomechanical alterations. This study investigates how exposure to two contrast agents, pre-clinical ultrasmall cationic tantalum oxide nanoparticles (Ta₂O₅-cNPs) and neutral iodixanol, approved for clinical use, affect the mechanical and frictional properties of articular cartilage. Biomechanical and tribological properties of osteochondral samples (n = 60) from adult bovine stifle joints (N = 9) were systematically assessed before and after contrast agent immersion using friction testing, stress-relaxation, and dynamic loading protocols. The effect of solid and charged contrast agents on extracellular matrix stiffness and fluid-flow properties was studied using finite element modeling, which enabled interpretation of the stress-relaxation response and extraction of constituent-specific mechanical parameters. The results demonstrate that Ta₂O₅-cNP uptake softens extracellular matrix of cartilage as non-fibrillar matrix modulus decreases (linear mixed model, p < 0.001). Both contrast agents reduce permeability and viscosity of cartilage. These findings highlight the sensitivity of articular cartilage mechanics to contrast-agent uptake and distribution within the tissue. The results underscore the importance of carefully considering nanoparticle charge and size together with other physicochemical properties, such as composition, concentration, surface chemistry, and tissue retention, when designing contrast agents for cartilage imaging or therapy.
SN - 0736-0266
SN - 1554-527X
ER -