Chitosan, hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in tissue engineering for cartilage regeneration: a review

Injection of hyaluronan into osteoarthritic joints restores the viscoelasticity, augments the flow of joint fluid, normalizes endogenous hyaluronan synthesis, and improves joint function. Chitosan easily forms polyelectrolyte complexes with hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate. Synergy of chitosan with hyaluronan develops enhanced performances in regenerating hyaline cartilage, typical results being structural integrity of the hyaline-like neocartilage, and reconstitution of the subchondral bone, with positive cartilage staining for collagen-II and GAG in the treated sites. Chitosan qualifies for the preparation of scaffolds intended for the regeneration of cartilage: it yields mesoporous cryogels; it provides a friendly environment for chondrocytes to propagate, produce typical ECM, and assume the convenient phenotype; it is a good carrier for growth factors; it inactivates metalloproteinases thus preventing collagen degradation; it is suitable for the induction of the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells; it is a potent means for hemostasis and platelet delivery.