Biomimetic Polysaccharides and Derivatives for Cartilage Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Cartilage tissue engineering is an emerging technology for the regeneration of such tissues damaged by disease or trauma. Unlike other types of tissue, cartilage does not have a blood supply and, therefore, lacks regenerative capabilities. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop cartilage tissues in clinically translatable conditions for regeneration. This fi eld of research involves the choice of the appropriate cells and biomaterials, devising signaling factors to the defect site for regeneration. The objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive synopsis of different approaches and recent advancements that have been taking place in this area, with an emphasis on various biomimetic polysaccharide-based biomaterials with integrated cell sources (e.g., chondrocytes, fi broblasts, and stem cells). Stem cells undergo chondrogenesis and deposit neocartilage in a variety of biomaterialbased scaffolds. However, there is still a limitation in recapitulating the properties of native tissues. Thus, the design of biomaterials that support the distribution of formed tissue is crucial for the optimization of cartilage formation. The state-ofthe art of advances in biomaterials and knowledge of their interaction with cells are also evaluated in this chapter. Additionally, the importance of signaling factors on cellular behavior that promote the production of cartilage tissue, that, in turn, mimics native tissue properties, accelerates restoration of tissue function and is clinically translatable, has been addressed here. Finally, the challenges, limitation and future prospect of cartilage regeneration are discussed.

Designing Smart Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering

“…HA is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved biomaterial for human application, and clinical trials confirmed that HAs are effective for osteoarthritis applications [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Chitosan ( Figure 1 c) is an important class of polysaccharide consisting of multiple functional groups, allowing ease of chemical modification, and has been used as a delivery agent, as well as in cell encapsulation, cellular functioning, and differentiation toward TE application [ 5 , 16 , 33 , 34 ]. Alginate is another example of a polysaccharide that has been used for cell encapsulation and injectable gel in TE [ 35 ].…”

“…To date, most synthetic biomaterials are derived for TE application, which are synthesized either from lactic acid, caprolactone, or glycolide monomers to form poly( l -Lactide), or poly(ε-caprolactone), or poly( l -glycolic acid), respectively, and/or their combination to form copolymers, or the physical blending of these polymers [ 11 , 12 ]. Natural polymers such as chitosan, alginate, starch, collagen, hyalauronic acid, cellulose, fibrin, silk, and their derivatives are also used [ 5 , 15 , 16 ]. A variety of techniques and methods has been developed to fabricate biomaterial scaffolds to control shapes, sizes, porosities, and architectures for TE applications [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Graphene-Related Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications

“…Chitosan, alginate, starch, collagen, HA, cellulose, fibrin, silk, and their derivatives may also be utilized to build scaffolds [ 20 ]. To manage the lengths, thicknesses, porosities, and structures of biomaterial-related scaffolds for TE applications, a range of approaches and techniques have been explored [ 21 ].…”

Bone Grafts in Trauma and Orthopaedics

“…There is also no concern of immunogenicity or the presence of pathogenic agents. Nondegradable polymers such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene have been used in the production of acetabular cups used in total hip arthroplasty [17]. Over the past decade, degradable polymer bone substitutes have been used more and more since it is ideal to have a synthetic graft that is completely resorbed leaving no foreign material behind.…”