Recent strategies in cartilage repair: A systemic review of the scaffold development and tissue engineering

Abstract

Osteoarthritis results in irreparable loss of articular cartilage. Due to its avascular nature and low mitotic activity, cartilage has little intrinsic capacity for repair. Cartilage loss leads to pain, physical disability, movement restriction, and morbidity. Various treatment strategies have been proposed for cartilage regeneration, but the optimum treatment is yet to be defined. Tissue engineering with engineered constructs aimed towards developing a suitable substrate may help in cartilage regeneration by providing the mechanical, biological and chemical support to the cells. The use of scaffold as a substrate to support the progenitor cells or autologous chondrocytes has given promising results. Leakage of cells, poor cell survival, poor cell differentiation, inadequate integration into the host tissue, incorrect distribution of cells, and dedifferentiation of the normal cartilage are the common problems in tissue engineering. Current research is focused on improving mechanical and biochemical properties of scaffold to make it more efficient. The aim of this review is to provide a critical discussion on existing challenges, scaffold type and properties, and an update on ongoing recent developments in the architecture and composition of scaffold to enhance the proliferation and viability of mesenchymal stem cells. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2343-2354, 2017.

Chondrocyte expansion is associated with loss of primary cilia and disrupted hedgehog signalling

“…Current surgical treatments utilise tissue engineering approaches to repair cartilage lesions and prevent further cartilage degradation. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), perhaps considered the most successful treatment for focal lesions, requires the removal and expansion of patient chondrocytes (Rai et al, 2017). In a second surgery, these autologous cells are re-implanted, in combination with a membrane or matrix scaffold, to repair a cartilage defect.…”

Nanocomposite bioink exploits dynamic covalent bonds between nanoparticles and polysaccharides for precision bioprinting

“…[40] In addition, there are high clinical demands for generation of patient-tailored articular or auricular cartilage to treat a number of cartilage-related diseases such as microtia/anotia, osteoarthritis or traumatic cartilage injuries. [41,42] However, in vitro promotion of matrix deposition by chondrocytes isolated from native tissue is often challenging in many hydrogel or composite systems. [41] Furthermore, for a bioink, the mechanical properties of the material should be suitable not only to support growth of chondrocytes but also for providing high printability.…”

“…[41,42] However, in vitro promotion of matrix deposition by chondrocytes isolated from native tissue is often challenging in many hydrogel or composite systems. [41] Furthermore, for a bioink, the mechanical properties of the material should be suitable not only to support growth of chondrocytes but also for providing high printability. In the present study, we showed that the addition of NPs in the ink did not compromise the biocompatibility of the Polym ink, where intense staining for collagens and GAGs was observed after 6 weeks of in vitro culture of bioprinted bovine articular chondrocytes.…”

Physical Stimulations for Bone and Cartilage Regeneration

“…A number of studies have shown the substrate’s physical properties and its topological structures to be critical for the chondrocyte’s differentiation, redifferentiation, and maturation [246]. A suitable substrate for seeding cells may help cartilage regeneration through mechanical, biological, and chemical effects in cartilage regeneration [247]. …”