C‐Shaped Cartilage Development Using Wharton's Jelly‐Derived Hydrogels to Assemble a Highly Biomimetic Neotrachea for use in Circumferential Tracheal Reconstruction

Abstract

A highly biomimetic neotrachea with C-shaped cartilage rings has promising clinical applications in the treatment of circumferential tracheal defects (CTDs) owing to its structure and physiological function. However, to date, most fabricated tracheal cartilages are O-shaped. In this study, finite element analysis demonstrates C-shaped cartilage rings that exhibit better compliance than O-shaped. Hydrogel is developed using methacryloyl-modified decellularized Wharton's jelly matrix (DWJMA) for the regeneration of C-shaped cartilage rings. This novel hydrogel possesses adjustable physicochemical properties and favorable cytocompatibility. When loaded with chondrocytes, DWJMA hydrogels support the optimal cartilage regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, a highly biomimetic neotrachea simultaneously simulating the structural and physiological properties of the normal trachea is regenerated via modular assembly of several individual C-shaped cartilage rings. The results demonstrate the highly biomimetic neotrachea have better patency (88.6 ± 6.1% vs 74.4 ± 9.4%, p < 0.05), improve the survival rate, alleviate weight loss and mucoid impaction, than its O-shaped counterpart when used for the treatment of CTDs in a rabbit model. Therefore, this study proposes a novel hydrogel for the regeneration of C-shaped cartilage and provides new insights into the treatment of CTDs using a highly biomimetic neotrachea with C-shaped cartilage rings.

Durable immunomodulatory hierarchical patch for rotator cuff repairing

“…Decellularized Wharton's Jelly Tissue (DWJT) is widely utilized in tissue engineering for regeneration due to its abundance of bioactive components, such as hyaluronic acid, and CD31 expression, making it effective in recruiting stem cells [ 39 ]. Gao et al and Yuan et al employed DWJT for the regeneration of tracheal cartilage and rotator cuff (RC) tissue, respectively, and reported some regenerative effects [ 40 , 41 ]. However, DWJT's processability is limited, and the microstructure of the regenerative induction patch based on DWJT is constrained by its natural structure, which can be simulated or personalized according to the damaged tissue itself.…”

Enhancing cartilage regeneration and repair through bioactive and biomechanical modification of 3D acellular dermal matrix

“…As a result, researchers are exploring alternative DEM for cartilage regeneration. For example, Gao et al [ 10 ] achieved tracheal cartilage regeneration using a loosely structured umbilical cord decellularized matrix hydrogel.…”

“…These characteristics influence cell morphology, phenotype, movement, and ultimately support cell growth, proliferation and differentiation [ 7–9 ]. However, creating a natural material with an optimal structure and function for cartilage regeneration remains a challenge [ 10 ].…”

The Immunosuppressive Niche Established with a Curcumin-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane Promotes Cartilage Regeneration in Immunocompetent Animals

“…Tissue engineering methods have been successfully used to generate cartilage with a tunable shape in vitro using several kinds of scaffolds, such as porous scaffolds [ 25 ], nanofilms [ 26 ], or hydrogels [ 27 ]. However, the implantation of in vitro engineered cartilage into immunocompetent animals promotes immune responses against the cartilage tissue, leading to the erosion and resorption of the cartilage’s ECM [ 28 ].…”