ECM-Mimicking Hydrogels Loaded with Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Cartilage Defects

Abstract

It is well-established that treating articular cartilage injuries is clinically challenging since they lack blood arteries, nerves, and lymphoid tissue. Recent studies have revealed that bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes (BMSCs-Exos) exert significant chondroprotective effects through paracrine secretions, and hydrogel-based materials can synergize the exosomes through sustained release. Therefore, this research aims to synthesize an ECM (extracellular matrix)-mimicking gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel modified by gelatin combined with BMSCs-derived exosomes to repair cartilage damage. We first isolated and characterized exosomes from BMSCs supernatant and then loaded the exosomes into GelMA hydrogel to investigate cartilage repair effects in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The outcomes showed that the GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility with a 3D (three-dimensional) porous structure, exhibiting good carrier characteristics for exosomes. Furthermore, BMSCs-Exos had a significant effect on promoting chondrocyte ECM production and chondrocyte proliferation, and the GelMA hydrogel could enhance this effect through a sustained-release effect. Similarly, in vivo experiments showed that GelMA-Exos promoted cartilage regeneration in rat joint defects and the synthesis of related cartilage matrix proteins.

Changes in the Subchondral Bone, Visfatin, and Cartilage Biomarkers after Pharmacological Treatment of Experimental Osteoarthritis with Metformin and Alendronate

“…Among the promising candidates are serum CTX-II and COMP. Type II collagen and aggrecan represent the most characteristic proteins in the cartilage matrix [ 48 , 49 ]; particularly, type II collagen represents 80–90% of the collagen in cartilage tissue. MMPs are the main players in the degradation of type II collagen as a hallmark of irreversible cartilage damage [ 15 , 50 ].…”

Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA)-Based Biomaterial Inks: Process Science for 3D/4D Printing and Current Status

“…The curing point of 5% GelMA hydrogel with 0.5% Irgacure 2959 was found to be ∼100 s, and ∼20 s when photocured using 5 and 30 mW/cm 2 UV (λ = 365 nm) UV intensity, respectively . Most 3D bioprinters work with an ideal UV illumination between 0 and 30 mW/cm 2 , ,− while the most common intensity is 6.9 mW/cm 2 . ,,,− Irgacure 2959 and LAP are the most common type I photoinitiators used for GelMA curing because of their water solubility, good curing efficiency, and acceptable cytotoxicity. The solubility of LAP is comparatively much higher (8.5%) compared to that of Irgacure 2959 (∼0.5%) .…”

Retracted: ECM‐Mimicking Hydrogels Loaded with Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Cartilage Defects

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [ 1 ]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process: Discrepancies in scope Discrepancies in the description of the research reported Discrepancies between the availability of data and the research described Inappropriate citations Incoherent, meaningless and/or irrelevant content included in the article Peer-review manipulation …”

“…Tis article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [1]. Tis investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process:…”