Bioengineered Tricomposite Hydrogel Enhances Chondrogenic Phenotype and Hyaline Matrix Formation in Human...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Fibrin hydrogels are biocompatible but lack cues for chondrocyte phenotype maintenance.
• Chondrocyte dysfunction limits their use in cartilage repair strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a tricomposite fibrin hydrogel with decellularized cartilage matrix (dACM) and decellularized amniotic membrane matrix (dAMM).
• To assess the hydrogel's ability to enhance human articular chondrocyte performance in vitro.

Main Methods:

• Human articular chondrocytes were encapsulated in tricomposite or fibrin-only hydrogels.
• Evaluated degradation, viability, cell density, histology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression (SOX9, COL2A1, ACAN, RUNX2, COL1A2, COL10A1).

Main Results:

• Tricomposite hydrogel maintained high viability (~99%), supported cell expansion (~250%), and degraded slower.
• Increased chondrogenic gene expression (SOX9, COL2A1, ACAN) and matrix deposition (type II collagen, aggrecan).
• Attenuated hypertrophic/fibrotic markers (RUNX2, COL1A2, COL10A1).

Conclusions:

• The dACM/dAMM-enriched fibrin hydrogel improved biofunctionality and promoted hyaline-like matrix assembly.
• This cell-instructive platform shows potential for focal articular cartilage repair applications.