Polysaccharides, as biological macromolecules in the development of tissue engineered tendon and ligament: a review

Tendon and ligament injuries significantly affect patients' quality of life, with current treatments, such as surgery and tissue grafting, often resulting in recurrence and additional complications. Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising alternative by integrating cells, biomaterials, and bioactive cues. This review summarizes recent studies (2015 to present) on the application of polysaccharides in developing tissue-engineered tendons and ligaments, emphasizing the critical role of cell-material interactions in various stages of tissue engineering. Polysaccharide-based biomaterials have gained attention for their structural and functional versatility, biocompatibility, and abundance from renewable sources. Their resemblance to the native extracellular matrix of tendons makes them excellent candidates for scaffolding biomaterials in tendon and ligament tissue engineering. This review highlights advancements in using polysaccharides, demonstrating their potential to enhance regenerative outcomes by closely mimicking the native tissue environment.