Alginate/cartilage extracellular matrix-based injectable interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel for cartilage
Nastaran Shojarazavi1, Shohreh Mashayekhan1, Hossein Pazooki2
1Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications
|June 14, 2021
Summary
This study developed an injectable hydrogel using alginate and cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) with silk fibroin nanofibers (SFN) for cartilage repair. Optimized concentrations enhance mechanical properties, showing promise for treating articular cartilage defects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Articular cartilage defects pose significant clinical challenges.
- Current treatments often have limitations in efficacy and durability.
- Developing advanced biomaterials is crucial for effective cartilage repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize an injectable hydrogel scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
- To incorporate silk fibroin nanofibers (SFN) into an alginate/cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) composite.
- To enhance the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the hydrogel for potential use in treating articular cartilage defects.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel using alginate and enzymatically crosslinked cartilage ECM.
- Incorporation of silk fibroin nanofibers (SFN) to modulate mechanical properties.
- Optimization of alginate and SFN concentrations using response surface methodology (RSM).
- Characterization of hydrogel properties including mechanical strength, gelation time, morphology (SEM), water uptake, degradation, and cytotoxicity.
Main Results:
- Optimized hydrogel composition achieved desired mechanical stiffness with 1.685% alginate and 1.724% SFN.
- Rapid gelation time of approximately 10 seconds was observed.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed homogeneous dispersion of SFN, mimicking native cartilage ECM.
- The optimized hydrogel demonstrated suitable water uptake, degradation profile, and biocompatibility, supporting glycosaminoglycan and collagen II secretion.
Conclusions:
- The developed alginate/ECM/SFN hydrogel is a promising injectable scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
- The optimized formulation exhibits favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility for treating articular cartilage defects.
- This injectable hydrogel offers a potential solution for minimally invasive cartilage repair strategies.
