Non-invasive monitoring of in vivo hydrogel degradation and cartilage regeneration by multiparametric MR imaging

Abstract

Numerous biodegradable hydrogels for cartilage regeneration have been widely used in the field of tissue engineering. However, to non-invasively monitor hydrogel degradation and efficiently evaluate cartilage restoration in situ is still challenging.Methods: A ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-labeled cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/silk fibroin (SF)-blended hydrogel system was developed to monitor hydrogel degradation during cartilage regeneration. The physicochemical characterization and biocompatibility of the hydrogel were evaluated in vitro. The in vivo hydrogel degradation and cartilage regeneration of different implants were assessed using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and further confirmed by histological analysis in a rabbit cartilage defect model for 3 months.Results: USPIO-labeled hydrogels showed sufficient MR contrast enhancement and retained stability without loss of the relaxation rate. Neither the mechanical properties of the hydrogels nor the proliferation of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were affected by USPIO labeling in vitro. CNC/SF hydrogels with BMSCs degraded more quickly than the acellular hydrogels as reflected by the MR relaxation rate trends in vivo. The morphology of neocartilage was noninvasively visualized by the three-dimensional water-selective cartilage MRI scan sequence, and the cartilage repair was further demonstrated by macroscopic and histological observations.Conclusion: This USPIO-labeled CNC/SF hydrogel system provides a new perspective on image-guided tissue engineering for cartilage regeneration.

3D printing of Mo-containing scaffolds with activated anabolic responses and bi-lineage bioactivities

“…The articular cartilage is primarily composed of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix (ECM) that mainly contains water, collagen type II, and proteoglycans such as aggrecan 3 - 5 . When articular cartilage suffers focal or degenerative lesions caused by trauma or disorders, it has a limited capacity for self-healing because of its avascularity and low cellularity and ultimately could evolve into osteoarthritis (OA) that in turn could result in the degradation of articular hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone structural remodeling 6 - 12 . Thus, it is extremely significant to repair osteochondral defects and acquire new cartilage and bone tissues.…”

Production and Characterization of an Integrated Multi-Layer 3D Printed PLGA/GelMA Scaffold Aimed for Bile Duct Restoration and Detection

“…Hence the position changes of the fluorescence of USPIO can be used to monitor degradation of scaffold in real time (Lei et al, 2017). Previous research also reported that T2-weighted MRI imaging was stable and reasonable, USPIO-labeled scaffcan be monitored in real time (Chen et al, 2018).…”

Advances of nanotechnology in osteochondral regeneration

“…Apart from TiO 2 , iron oxide nanoparticles have been applied in cartilage and subchondral bone tissue engineering. The treatment of MSCs and chondrocytes with iron oxide nanoparticles on scaffolds increased the osteogenic and chondrogenesis differentiation, and the nanoparticles in conjunction with magnetic field exposure enhanced osteogenic differentiation and provided a new perspective on image‐guided osteochondral regeneration (Z. Chen, Yan, & Yan, ; M. O. Kim, Jung, Kim, Park, & Seo, ). Although the modification of metal oxides increased the mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds, most of the metal oxides are nondegradable.…”