Hydrogel composite scaffolds achieve recruitment and chondrogenesis in cartilage tissue engineering applications

Background: The regeneration and repair of articular cartilage remains a major challenge for clinicians and scientists due to the poor intrinsic healing of this tissue. Since cartilage injuries are often clinically irregular, tissue-engineered scaffolds that can be easily molded to fill cartilage defects of any shape that fit tightly into the host cartilage are needed. Method: In this study, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) affinity peptide sequence PFSSTKT (PFS)-modified chondrocyte extracellular matrix (ECM) particles combined with GeIMA hydrogel were constructed. Results: In vitro experiments showed that the pore size and porosity of the solid-supported composite scaffolds were appropriate and that the scaffolds provided a three-dimensional microenvironment supporting cell adhesion, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. In vitro experiments also showed that GeIMA/ECM-PFS could regulate the migration of rabbit BMSCs. Two weeks after implantation in vivo, the GeIMA/ECM-PFS functional scaffold system promoted the recruitment of endogenous mesenchymal stem cells from the defect site. GeIMA/ECM-PFS achieved successful hyaline cartilage repair in rabbits in vivo, while the control treatment mostly resulted in fibrous tissue repair. Conclusion: This combination of endogenous cell recruitment and chondrogenesis is an ideal strategy for repairing irregular cartilage defects.

Automated summary

The regeneration and repair of articular cartilage is challenging due to its poor intrinsic healing ability. In this study, a combination of bone marrow stem cells and a modified chondrocyte extracellular matrix were used to create a scaffold that successfully recruited endogenous stem cells and promoted cartilage repair in rabbits.