Enhanced Biomechanical Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hybrid Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Articular cartilage damage is a primary feature of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis). Repairing articular cartilage is highly challenging due to its avascular/aneural nature and low cellularity. To induce functional neocartilage formation, the tissue substitute must have mechanical properties which can adapt well to the loading conditions of the joint. Among the various biomaterials which may function as cartilage replacements, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels stand out for their high biocompatibility and tunable mechanical features. This review article describes and discusses the enrichment of PVA with natural materials (i.e., collagen, hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite, chitosan, alginate, extracellular matrix) ± synthetic additives (i.e., polyacrylic acid, poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, graphene oxide, bioactive glass) to produce cartilage substitutes with enhanced mechanical performance. PVA-based hybrid scaffolds have been investigated mainly by compression, tensile, friction, stress relaxation and creep tests, demonstrating increased stiffness and friction properties, and with cartilage-like viscoelastic behavior. In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies revealed positive outcomes but also many gaps yet to be addressed. Thus, recommendations for future research are proposed in order to prompt further progress in the fabrication of PVA-based hybrid scaffolds which increasingly match the biological and mechanical properties of native cartilage.

Polymeric Hydrogels for Controlled Drug Delivery to Treat Arthritis

“…However, slow biodegradation and poor cell adhesion properties have limited the use of PVA hydrogels for clinical cartilage tissue regeneration applications. Therefore, to enhance the bio-applicability of PVA hydrogels, hybrid PVA-based hydrogel composites combining PVA with PEG, PCL, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), alginate, chitosan, and bioglass have been extensively investigated [ 104 ]. In a similar context, Meng et al fabricated a bioinspired PVA/graphene oxide-hydroxyapatite (GO-HA)nanocomposite hydrogel by an extrusion 3D printing method.…”

3D Bioprinting of Smart Oxygen-Releasing Cartilage Scaffolds

“…Thus, the main focus and key to the future of cartilage regeneration deals with the mechanical properties of the materials; a high resistance will promote mechanical stability of a joint, and high-water content will maintain a lubricious surface. In addition, bioactivity is also required to sustain cell proliferation and migration; the materials that make up the scaffold should retain a capacity for biodegradation and a possibility to remodel as new cartilage, considering that for cartilage to totally regenerate, it will require a longer time period, unlike other tissues [ 67 ].…”

Biomaterials and Their Biomedical Applications: From Replacement to Regeneration

“…Both synthetic and natural polymers are frequently used to develop hydrogels for tissue engineering [55][56][57][58][59]. Hydrogels are composed of hydrophilic polymeric chains crosslinked through either covalent or non-covalent bonds.…”