Tissue Engineering of Articular Cartilage with Biomimetic Zones

Porous magnesium-based scaffolds for tissue engineering

“…Cartilage nutrition is supported by the subchondral bone plate, thus any damages such as osteochondral defects can prevent regenerating cartilage. In such cases, using a biodegradable scaffold as the subchondral bone plate can enhance the cartilage healing process [112][113][114]. Ideal scaffolds in subchondral bone plate tissue engineering should provide adequate mechanical stability, appropriate pore size, sufficient porosity, and optimized programmed degradation.…”

Monitoring Cartilage Tissue Engineering Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Imaging, and Elastography

“…The overall goal of cartilage tissue engineering is to mimic this natural structure using cells, scaffolds, growth factors, and mechanical conditions. 13,49,50 Scaffolds composed of natural polymers such as, polysaccharide-based hydrogels (alginate beads, chitosan, or agarose) or protein-based hydrogels (collagen or fibrin) are now commonly used in cartilage tissue engineering. [51][52][53] However, because of the ease with which synthetic polymer hydrogels can be functionalized and modified, polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and PEG-derived hydrogels or -fibrins are also making their way into cartilage tissue engineering.…”

“…10 Chondrocytes derived from natural sources or from MSCs differentiating toward chondrocytes are commonly used as a cell source in cartilage tissue engineering; however, there are unmet challenges in expanding and maintaining chondrocytes (e.g., the composition of the construct and the regulation of culture conditions need careful monitoring). 13,14,50,56,57 In addition, chondrogenic growth factors play a key role in chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage generation. 58 The most challenging aspect of cartilage tissue engineering is to replicate the natural compressive behavior of cartilage under mechanical loading conditions and its porous structure for cell nutrients.…”

“…11,12 As a cell source, either chondrocytes harvested from cartilage or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiating toward chondrocytes are used. 13,14 Growth factors promoting chondrogenesis or biomimetic approaches are also used to promote chondrogenic differentiation of cells. 13,15 Although much research progress has been reported in the past decade, the implantation of engineered cartilage tissue has not yet reached the orthopedic clinic.…”

“…13,14 Growth factors promoting chondrogenesis or biomimetic approaches are also used to promote chondrogenic differentiation of cells. 13,15 Although much research progress has been reported in the past decade, the implantation of engineered cartilage tissue has not yet reached the orthopedic clinic. Scale up from animal studies and translation to the clinic requires noninvasive assessment of the growing tissue for an extended period of time (weeks to months).…”