Injectable Biomimetic Lubricant-PRP Hydrogel with Synergistic Lubrication from In/Ex-Sources for Cartilage...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Cartilage regeneration is a significant clinical challenge, with current treatments offering only symptomatic relief.
• Existing therapies fail to address the underlying mechanisms of cartilage degeneration and repair.
• There is a need for innovative strategies to promote true cartilage regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable bioactive hydrogel for synergistic lubrication and cartilage regeneration.
• To investigate the potential of combining exogenous biomimetic lubricants with endogenous synovial fluid secretion.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this hydrogel in promoting articular cartilage repair and treating osteoarthritis.

Main Methods:

• Development of an injectable hydrogel composed of a biomimetic lubricant (HDPA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
• Assessment of the hydrogel's lubrication properties, cell interaction, and chondrogenic potential in vitro.
• RNA sequencing to analyze the molecular pathways involved in cartilage repair.
• In vivo evaluation of the hydrogel in a rabbit osteoarthritis model.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel demonstrated significant reduction in cartilage friction and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and chondrogenic differentiation.
• It stimulated synovial fibroblasts to secrete endogenous hyaluronic acid, achieving synergistic lubrication.
• RNA-seq analysis indicated suppression of pro-inflammatory pathways (NF-κB/IL-1) and activation of TGF-β signaling, promoting ECM remodeling.
• In vivo studies showed the hydrogel induced hyaline cartilage regeneration, outperforming control and single-treatment groups.

Conclusions:

• The developed injectable hydrogel offers a dual approach of exogenous lubrication and endogenous repair stimulation.
• This strategy effectively promotes hyaline cartilage regeneration and demonstrates therapeutic potential for osteoarthritis.
• Combining biomimetic lubricants with PRP presents a promising avenue for cartilage repair and osteoarthritis treatment.