Cartilage tissue examination using atomic force microscopy

Life sciences, a field closely intertwined with human biology and physiology, employ various research methods, including morphology studies and quantitative analysis through non-destructive techniques. Biological specimens often consist of three-phase structures, characterized by the presence of gas, liquid, and solid components. This becomes crucial when the chosen research methodology requires the removal of water from samples or their transfer to a cryostat. In the current research, mechanical and topographical examination of cartilage was performed. The materials were generously provided by the Department of Anatomy at the Medical University of Silesia, thereby eliminating any concerns regarding their origin or ethical use for scientific purposes. Our research methodology involved the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM), which minimally disrupts the internal equilibrium among the aforementioned phases. Cartilage, recognized as a ‘universal support material’ in animals, proves to be highly amenable to AFM research, enabling the surface scanning of the examined material. The quantitative results obtained facilitate an assessment of the internal structure and differentiation of cartilage based on its anatomical location (e.g., joints or ears). Direct images acquired during the examination offer insights into the internal structure of cartilage tissue, revealing morphological disparities and variations in intercellular spaces. The scans obtained during the measurements have unveiled substantial distinctions, particularly in the intercellular ‘essence’, characterized by granularities with a diameter of approximately 0.5 μm in ear cartilage and structural elements in articular cartilage measuring about 0.05 μm. Thus, AFM can be a valuable cognitive tool for observing biological samples in the biological sciences, particularly in medicine (e.g. clinical science).