Preparation and Application of Decellularized ECM-Based Biological Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Repair: A Review

Abstract

Cartilage regeneration is dependent on cellular-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. Natural ECM plays a role in mechanical and chemical cell signaling and promotes stem cell recruitment, differentiation and tissue regeneration in the absence of biological additives, including growth factors and peptides. To date, traditional tissue engineering methods by using natural and synthetic materials have not been able to replicate the physiological structure (biochemical composition and biomechanical properties) of natural cartilage. Techniques facilitating the repair and/or regeneration of articular cartilage pose a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Whereas, little progress has been made in this field. In recent years, with advances in medicine, biochemistry and materials science, to meet the regenerative requirements of the heterogeneous and layered structure of native articular cartilage (AC) tissue, a series of tissue engineering scaffolds based on ECM materials have been developed. These scaffolds mimic the versatility of the native ECM in function, composition and dynamic properties and some of which are designed to improve cartilage regeneration. This review systematically investigates the following: the characteristics of cartilage ECM, repair mechanisms, decellularization method, source of ECM, and various ECM-based cartilage repair methods. In addition, the future development of ECM-based biomaterials is hypothesized.

Particulated Costal Allocartilage With Microfracture Versus Microfracture Alone for Knee Cartilage Defects: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Participant- and Rater-Blinded Study

“…The ECM derived from the decellularized hyaline cartilage could retain the natural structure and main components of the native ECM, including type 2 collagen and glycosaminoglycans. 46 This could induce progenitor cells to develop chondrogenic direction via migration, adherence, proliferation, and differentiation. 25,32,46 Intrinsic biological elements or bioactive proteins from the ECM could also support chondrogenesis by regulating cartilage homeostasis.…”

“…46 This could induce progenitor cells to develop chondrogenic direction via migration, adherence, proliferation, and differentiation. 25,32,46 Intrinsic biological elements or bioactive proteins from the ECM could also support chondrogenesis by regulating cartilage homeostasis. 7,46 Several in vitro and in vivo studies have established the chondroinductive potential of this hyaline cartilage ECM.…”

“…25,32,46 Intrinsic biological elements or bioactive proteins from the ECM could also support chondrogenesis by regulating cartilage homeostasis. 7,46 Several in vitro and in vivo studies have established the chondroinductive potential of this hyaline cartilage ECM. 19,41,42 A case series of 6 patients treated with dehydrated micronized allogeneic articular cartilage combined with microfracture reported that the quality of the restored cartilage was similar to that of the adjacent native cartilage, as evaluated by T2 mapping.…”

From waste to wealth: Repurposing slaughterhouse waste for xenotransplantation

“…In preclinical and clinical investigations, ECM scaffolds are frequently used for reconstructive and regenerative applications (Brown and Badylak, 2014;Aamodt and Grainger, 2016;Nowocin et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2017;Jiang et al, 2021;Anderson et al, 2022;Barbon et al, 2022;Barbulescu et al, 2022;Wang et al, 2022b;Yesantharao and Nguyen, 2022;Zhang et al, 2022;Shakeel and Corridon, 2023a). Naturally occurring ECM-based biopolymers derived from harvested human (Kumar Kuna et al, 2018) and animal (Kumar Kuna et al, 2018) organs and tissues, as well as agarose (Salati et al, 2020), alginate (Ahmad Raus et al, 2021), chitosan (Sultankulov et al, 2019), and cellulose (Silva et al, 2022), can stimulate angiogenesis, growth, and differentiation of repopulating cells.…”

The potential role of synovial cells in the progression and treatment of osteoarthritis

“…For example, cell‐derived ECM and hyaluronic acid (HA) affect cartilage repair due to their relatively poor mechanical properties. [ 173 ] Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, have been greatly developed in the field of tissue engineering due to their excellent mechanical properties, and improved processing potential. Common synthetic polymers include poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly (lactic acid) (PLA), poly (glycolic acid) (PGA) and poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG).…”