PLA-lignin nanofibers as antioxidant biomaterials for cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment

Abstract

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is common musculoskeletal disorders associated with overgeneration of free radicals, and it causes joint pain, inflammation, and cartilage degradation. Lignin as a natural antioxidant biopolymer has shown its great potential for biomedical applications. In this work, we developed a series of lignin-based nanofibers as antioxidative scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. Results The nanofibers were engineered by grafting poly(lactic acid) (PLA) into lignin via ring-opening polymerization and followed by electrospinning. Varying the lignin content in the system was able to adjust the physiochemical properties of the resulting nanofibers, including fiber diameters, mechanical and viscoelastic properties, and antioxidant activity. In vitro study demonstrated that the PLA-lignin nanofibers could protect bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) from oxidative stress and promote the chondrogenic differentiation. Moreover, the animal study showed that the lignin nanofibers could promote cartilage regeneration and repair cartilage defects within 6 weeks of implantation. Conclusion Our study indicated that lignin-based nanofibers could serve as an antioxidant tissue engineering scaffold and facilitate the cartilage regrowth for OA treatment. Graphical Abstract

Recent Advances in Host‐Guest Supramolecular Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

“…To date, tissue engineering in combination of stem cell therapy provides innovative promising strategies for bone and tissue regeneration [85–90] . Because of their similarities to animal tissues and extracellular matrix (ECM), supramolecular hydrogels with tunable physicochemical characteristics have become the most popular scaffold biomaterials for tissue engineering [91,92] .…”

“…To date, tissue engineering in combination of stem cell therapy provides innovative promising strategies for bone and tissue regeneration. [85][86][87][88][89][90] Because of their similarities to animal tissues and extracellular matrix (ECM), supramolecular hydrogels with tunable physicochemical characteristics have become the most popular scaffold biomaterials for tissue engineering. [91,92] Conventional chemically crosslinked hydrogels with static, rigid architectures hinder cell infiltration, migration and remodeling, consequently restricting in situ tissue regeneration and biomaterial integration with host tissues.…”

Advances in the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Cartilage Defect

“… 115 In addition to the unfavorable physical microenvironment, the oxidative environment can also interfere with the chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells. 133 The overexpression of ROS is a challenge for cartilage regeneration, which is considered as an inflammatory mediator regulating chondrocyte apoptosis and can lead to tissue damage. 134 The development of nano antioxidants that can target cartilage tissue is one of the most advanced methods to improve cartilage regeneration and resist oxidative stress.…”

“… 134 The development of nano antioxidants that can target cartilage tissue is one of the most advanced methods to improve cartilage regeneration and resist oxidative stress. 133 , 135 In addition, engineered cells are usually unable to colonize cartilage defect sites efficiently, the therapeutic effect is obviously limited. In order to enhance the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to colonize PTCDs, Li et al 136 directly modified MSCs with transglutaminase 2 to achieve targeted treatment of PTCDs, and achieved satisfactory therapeutic results.…”

Bio‐Polypropylene and Polypropylene‐based Biocomposites: Solutions for a Sustainable Future

“…Starting from renewable bioresources (such as corn, sugarcane, lignocellulose, etc. ), the production of bioplastics usually comprises a series of pretreatment, hydrolysis and fermentation procedures to generate bioalcohol as the green precursor, which is further converted to bioplastics through organic reactions [12] . The European Union (EU) has identified bio‐based plastics as a promisnig substitute for traditional plastics, since they can benefit the environment by minimizing dependence on finite crude oil reserves, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and leaving smaller carbon footprints.…”