Regeneration of Hyaline Cartilage Using a Mechanically-Tuned Chondrocyte-Seeded Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered 3D Scaffold: A Theoretical Approach

Abstract

The limited ability of cartilage tissue to repair itself poses a functionally impairing health problem. While many treatment methods are available, full restoration of the tissue to its original state is rare. Often, complete joint replacement surgery is required to obtain long-term relief. Tissue engineering approaches, however, provide new opportunities for cartilage replacement. They seek to provide mechanisms to repair or replace lost tissue or function. A theoretical method is presented here for regenerating hyaline cartilage in vitro using a chondrocyte-seeded three-dimensional biomimetic engineered scaffold with mechanical properties similar to those occurring naturally. The scaffold composition, type II collagen, aggrecan, hyaluronan, hyaluronan binding protein (for link protein), and BMP-7, were chosen to encourage synthesis of hyaline cartilage by providing a more native environment and signaling cue for the seeded chondrocytes. The scaffold components mimic the macrofibrillar collagen network found in articular cartilage. Type II collagen provides tensile strength, and aggrecan, the predominant proteoglycan, provides compressive strength.

Physicobiochemical Characteristics and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hBM-MSCs) in Biodegradable Porous Sponge Bovine Cartilage Scaffold

“…Aggrecan is a component of the pericellular matrix that maintains matrix homeostasis [23]. Some attempts to increase the strength of natural scaffolds, such as collagen, are by adding aggrecan in the manufacturing process [24]. The results showed that SBCS group had a higher content of aggrecan than DSBCS group.…”