Unrevealing the potential of fibrous biomaterials in cartilage tissue engineering: a review

Fibrous biomaterials have showed considerable potential in cartilage tissue engineering due to their ability to imitate the structure and characteristics of the original extracellular matrix. Sustainable biomaterials such as chitosan, silk fibroin, and collagen can be produced into a variety of shapes, including hydrogels, scaffolds, and electrospun nanofibers, to develop an optimal milieu for chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and cartilage matrix deposition. In recent years, various studies showed that biomaterials-based fiber mats obtained through electrospinning as scaffolds exhibit remarkable chondrocyte growth support. These fiber mats promote high chondrocyte viability and cell proliferation, particularly when thin neutralized fibers are utilized. The biomimetic attributes of these biomaterials obtained from renewable resources such as plants, animals, and microbes have intrinsic benefits such as biocompatibility, microstructure resemblance to the original extracellular matrix, and adjustable mechanical properties. However, there are still hurdles in optimizing scaffold-cell interactions, controlled degradation, stress response, and flexibility for successful clinical translation. As a result, fibrous biomaterials exhibit significant potential for cartilage tissue engineering by promoting chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and cartilage matrix deposition. Nonetheless, additional study is required to solve the obstacles and optimize these materials for successful clinical applications.