Hydrogel-Hydroxyapatite-Monomeric Collagen Type-I Scaffold with Low-Frequency Electromagnetic field Treatment Enhances Osteochondral Repair in Rabbits

Abstract

Background: Cartilage damage is a common medical issue in clinical practice. Complete cartilage repair remains a significant challenge owing to the inferior quality of regenerative tissue. Methods: In this study, a composite scaffold made of Hydroxyapatite-Collagen type-I (HAC) and PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermogel was produced to match the cartilage and subchondral layers in osteochondral defects, respectively. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) encapsulated in the thermogel were stimulated by an electromagnetic field (EMF). Results: The scaffold was evaluated in rabbits, and biological characteristic of BMSCs were measured. Results showed that the scaffold with EMF enhances the repair of osteochondral defects in rabbits, and, in particular, cartilage repair. EMF could promote proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs partly by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin pathway. Conclusion: Hydrogel-Hydroxyapatite-Monomeric Collagen type-I scaffold with low-frequency EMF treatment has the potential to enhance osteochondral repair.

Magnetic Hydrogel for Cartilage Tissue Regeneration as well as a Review on Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Cartilage Repair Strategies

“…They suggested that this might be due to increased expression of transforming growth factor beta in presence of magnetic field. Yan et al [117] showed that increased cartilage regeneration under EMF is associated with enhanced (TGF-β) and it results from the activation of the Wnt1/LRP6/β-catenin signaling pathway [117]. Moreover, magnetic signals have been shown to contribute to chondrogenesis by activating calciumpermeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channels [19].…”