Mechanically Reinforced Extracellular Matrix Scaffold for Application of Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Scaffolds with cartilage-like environment and suitable physical properties are critical for tissue-engineered cartilage repair. In this study, decellularized porcine cartilage-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) was utilized to fabricate ECM scaffolds. Mechanically reinforced ECM scaffolds were developed by combining salt-leaching and crosslinking for cartilage repair. The developed scaffolds were investigated with respect to their physicochemical properties and their cartilage tissue formation ability. The mechanically reinforced ECM scaffold showed similar mechanical strength to that of synthetic PLGA scaffold and expressed higher levels of cartilage-specific markers compared to those expressed by the ECM scaffold prepared by simple freeze-drying. These results demonstrated that the physical properties of ECM-derived scaffolds could be influenced by fabrication method, which provides suitable environments for the growth of chondrocytes. By extension, this study suggests a promising approach of natural biomaterials in cartilage tissue engineering.

Cartilage Extracellular Matrix Scaffold With Kartogenin-Encapsulated PLGA Microspheres for Cartilage Regeneration

“…Notably, CECM is biodegradable, which allows the scaffold to participate in the construction of new cartilage tissue. All of these characteristics promote cell proliferation and functional expression ( Yang et al, 2008 ; Ravindran et al, 2015 ; Oh et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2018 ). However, its rapid degradation rate and weak mechanical performance limit the application of ECM scaffold in tissue engineering ( Oh et al, 2018 ).…”

“…All of these characteristics promote cell proliferation and functional expression ( Yang et al, 2008 ; Ravindran et al, 2015 ; Oh et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2018 ). However, its rapid degradation rate and weak mechanical performance limit the application of ECM scaffold in tissue engineering ( Oh et al, 2018 ). Recently, the introduction of composite scaffolds based on ECM and polymers has provided mechanically and chemically stable properties, while retaining biocompatibility and biodegradability; this offers a new strategy for application of the CECM scaffold.…”

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Achievements, Future, and Sustainability in Asia

“…Recently, Fan and Wang's groups constructed an acellular matrix microsphere as a scaffold for engineering cartilage ). Park's group and Min's group used decellularized porcine cartilage-derived ECM to fabricate scaffolds (Oh et al, 2018). This ECM-derived scaffold could provide suitable environments for chondrocyte growth.…”

Graphene Hybrid Materials for Controlling Cellular Microenvironments

“…In other words, cell differentiation requires physical effects that can be induced by fibrous proteins such as fibronectin. The framework that can provide this physical effect is a scaffold, as described in this study, and fibrous proteins can be absorbed into this framework and induce cell adhesion [ 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. Taken together, it is clear that a variety of biocompatible materials (e.g., PDA, PLA) functionalized with ECM proteins (e.g., fibronectin, collagen) are effective in regulating various cellular functions, including stem cell differentiation, via controlling the cellular microenvironments.…”