Augmentation of Tendon and Ligament Repair with Fiber-Reinforced Hydrogel Composites
Robert N Kent1, Alice H Huang2, Brendon M Baker1,3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
None:
This review highlights the promise of fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites (FRHCs) for augmenting tendon and ligament repair and regeneration. Composed of reinforcing fibers embedded in a hydrogel, these scaffolds provide both mechanical strength and a conducive microenvironment for biological processes required for connective tissue regeneration. Typical properties of FRHCs are discussed, highlighting their ability to simultaneously fulfill essential mechanical and biological design criteria for a regenerative scaffold. Furthermore, features of FRHCs are described that improve specific biological aspects of tendon healing including mesenchymal progenitor cell recruitment, early polarization to a pro-regenerative immune response, tenogenic differentiation of recruited progenitor cells, and subsequent production of a mature, aligned collagenous matrix. Finally, the review offers a perspective on clinical translation of tendon FRHCs and outlines key directions for future work.
Related Concept Videos
Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM
Connective tissue proper includes loose...
Fibril-associated Collagen
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
Phases of Wound Repair
Formation of Blood Clot
In case of deep injuries, trauma to blood vessels results in blood loss. In the meantime, phospholipids released from the ruptured endothelial cellular membrane are converted into arachidonic...
Connective Tissue Fibers and Ground Substance
Fibrous Proteins
Fiber Reinforced Concrete


