Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of Fibrin Scaffolds for Cartilage Repair

Abstract

Articular cartilage is a highly organized tissue that provides remarkable load-bearing and low friction properties, allowing for smooth movement of diarthrodial joints; however, due to the avascular, aneural, and non-lymphatic characteristics of cartilage, joint cartilage has self-regeneration and repair limitations. Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising alternative for chondral defect repair. It proposes models that mimic natural tissue structure through the use of cells, scaffolds, and signaling factors to repair, replace, maintain, or improve the specific function of the tissue. In chondral tissue engineering, fibrin is a biocompatible biomaterial suitable for cell growth and differentiation with adequate properties to regenerate damaged cartilage. Additionally, its mechanical, biological, and physical properties can be enhanced by combining it with other materials or biological components. This review addresses the biological, physical, and mechanical properties of fibrin as a biomaterial for cartilage tissue engineering and as an element to enhance the regeneration or repair of chondral lesions.

Chondroitin Sulfate-Tyramine-Based Hydrogels for Cartilage Tissue Repair

“…Various types of natural and synthetic hydrogels and/or their combinations and ways of polymerization were used for the purpose of regenerating cartilage tissue [ 38 ]. However, the most commonly used and promising are natural polymers, such as collagen, chondroitin sulphate, fibrin, silk fibroin and others, with or without synthetic components [ 38 , 39 ]. In addition, among the various types of hydrogels, injectable hydrogels have also demonstrated great potential, as three-dimensional systems in cartilage tissue engineering, due to their framework mimicking cartilage lacuna, possessing a good penetration of nutrition and cell survival, having minimal invasive properties during injection into the articular joint, and having the ability to match irregular cartilage defects [ 40 ].…”

Recent advances in tendon tissue engineering strategy

“…Fibrin is characteristic of both elastic and viscous properties, high seeding efficiency, adhesion capabilities and uniform cell distribution with the potential to bind, retain, present, and possibly release various biomolecules to modulate cell behavior ( Roberts et al, 2020 ). The drawbacks of easy shrinkage and poor mechanical stability make fibrin cannot preserve its internal spacing and macromorphology without an external framework ( Rojas-Murillo et al, 2022 ). Some literatures have reported the effects of composite scaffold composed of fibrin and other polymers to promote the mechanical property.…”

Intraarticular injections: Hyaluronic acid, corticosteroid, platelet rich plasma (PRP)

“…[7] Kıkırdak doku, hiposelüler, avasküler, anöral ve alenfatik bir yapıda olması sebebiyle kendiliğinden iyileşme potansiyeli oldukça sınırlıdır. [7,8] Subkondral kemik tarafından ortaya çıkan mezenkimal hücreler veya fibroblastlar defektli sahada fibröz kıkırdak oluşumunu sağlar. Fakat oluşan fibrokartilaj dokusu hiyalin kıkırdağa nazaran biyomekanik açıdan üstün olmayıp artroz gelişimini engelleyememektedir.…”