Stem Cell-assisted Approaches for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The regeneration of damaged articular cartilage remains challenging due to its poor intrinsic capacity for repair. Tissue engineering of articular cartilage is believed to overcome the current limitations of surgical treatment by offering functional regeneration in the defect region. Selection of proper cell sources and ECM-based scaffolds, and incorporation of growth factors or mechanical stimuli are of primary importance to successfully produce artificial cartilage for tissue repair. When designing materials for cartilage tissue engineering, biodegradability and biocompatibility are the key factors in selecting material candidates, for either synthetic or natural polymers. The unique environment of cartilage makes it suitable to use a hydrogel with high water content in the cross-linked or thermosensitive (injectable) form. Moreover, design of composite scaffolds from two polymers with complementary physicochemical and biological properties has been explored to provide residing chondrocytes with a combination of the merits that each component contributes.

Design of Injectable Materials to Improve Stem Cell Transplantation

“…This can result from diseases such as osteoarthritis, mechanical wear, crystal formation from gout, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis [115]. Current stem cell therapies used to treat cartilage degeneration include the use of MSCs and ASCs differentiated into chondrocytes, the main cellular component of cartilage, in order to replace lost cells [116]. Unfortunately, many of these cells die within this avascular environment [117].…”

Biomimetic Polymers for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

“…However, most of the scaffold approaches require invasive surgeries for implantation. 17−19 For many patients with severe heart failure, surgical implantation is not an option due to various comorbidities that prohibit them from undergoing surgical procedures. 20 In such patients, cell-scaffold implantation is a challenge and an unmet clinical need.…”

<p>Nanoscale Thermosensitive Hydrogel Scaffolds Promote the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem and Progenitor Cells: A Minimally Invasive Approach for Cartilage Regeneration</p>

“…1 Although chondrocytes have been identified as a potential cell source for cartilage repair upon using the autologous transplantation techniques, several shortcomings have been reported which might limit their use such as their instability in monolayer culture, the donor site morbidity, insufficient cell number and limited capability for intrinsic repair. 2 For these reasons, progenitor and stem cells have gained publicity for condylar cartilage engineering. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCMSCs) are an alternative cell source for cartilage tissue engineering as they divide faster and produce more matrix when compared to condylar cartilage cells in vitro.…”