Natural biopolymer scaffold for meniscus tissue engineering

Abstract

Meniscal injuries caused by trauma, degeneration, osteoarthritis, or other diseases always result in severe joint pain and motor dysfunction. Due to the unique anatomy of the human meniscus, the damaged meniscus lacks the ability to repair itself. Moreover, current clinical treatments for meniscal injuries, including meniscal suturing or resection, have significant limitations and drawbacks. With developments in tissue engineering, biopolymer scaffolds have shown promise in meniscal injury repair. They act as templates for tissue repair and regeneration, interacting with surrounding cells and providing structural support for newly formed meniscal tissue. Biomaterials offer tremendous advantages in terms of biocompatibility, bioactivity, and modifiable mechanical and degradation kinetics. In this study, the preparation and composition of meniscal biopolymer scaffolds, as well as their properties, are summarized. The current status of research and future research prospects for meniscal biopolymer scaffolds are reviewed in terms of collagen, silk, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, and extracellular matrix (ECM) materials. Overall, such a comprehensive summary provides constructive suggestions for the development of meniscal biopolymer scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Biomedical Application of Decellularized Scaffolds

“…However, this treatment method inevitably causes damage to the normal meniscus structure. Therefore, the decellularized meniscus scaffold came into being. − …”

Composite Zonal Scaffolds of Collagen I/II for Meniscus Regeneration

“…10,13 Owing to its low immunogenicity and high biocompatibility, this collagen I implant provides a biodegradable scaffold that is replaced by patient-synthesized tissue. 14 CMI has been approved as a safe biomaterial by European and US regulatory agencies; 11,13,15 however, therapeutic failures and lack of functional improvement have been reported. 12,16 Because of these limitations and the high incidence of meniscal injuries, 17 meniscal substitutes with clinical applications must continue to be developed and characterized.…”

“…Although several clinical studies of meniscus substitutes have been conducted over the years, − few have been approved for clinical application in humans. Among these is the collagen meniscus implant (CMI), which is used for the repair of segmental meniscal defects after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. , Owing to its low immunogenicity and high biocompatibility, this collagen I implant provides a biodegradable scaffold that is replaced by patient-synthesized tissue . CMI has been approved as a safe biomaterial by European and US regulatory agencies; ,, however, therapeutic failures and lack of functional improvement have been reported. , Because of these limitations and the high incidence of meniscal injuries, meniscal substitutes with clinical applications must continue to be developed and characterized.…”

Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Polyglycolic Acid Meniscal Scaffold for Irreparable Meniscal Tear

“…In recent years, meniscal scaffolds have been studied for meniscal regeneration using tissue engineering techniques. [15][16][17] A meniscal scaffold could be used for replacing degenerated menisci and preserve the biomechanical properties of the meniscus. Although Zaffagnini et al 7 reported that treatment with a scaffold had been superior to partial meniscectomy, these scaffolds did not yield long-term regeneration.…”