Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
12:37
3D Hydrogel Scaffolds for Articular Chondrocyte Culture and Cartilage Generation
Published on: October 7, 2015
Injectable hydrogel scaffolds with sustained bioactive release and multilevel architecture for cartilage repair
Jiyang Zeng1, Wei Li2, Yuliang Dai1
1Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China; Hunan Digital Spine Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology of Hunan Province, Changsha, 4l0011l, China.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|July 12, 2026
Summary
This study developed an injectable hydrogel using chitosan and gelatin, reinforced with strontium (Sr2+), to effectively repair cartilage defects. The novel material promotes cell growth and hyaline-like cartilage formation in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Articular cartilage defects present a significant clinical challenge due to cartilage's limited self-repair capacity.
- Current treatments often fall short, necessitating innovative strategies for effective cartilage regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable, rapidly gelling composite hydrogel for articular cartilage repair.
- To investigate the potential of strontium (Sr2+)-loaded coaxial electrospun fibers within a chitosan-gelatin hydrogel for enhanced cartilage regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a composite hydrogel via Schiff-base crosslinking of chitosan and gelatin, incorporating Sr2+-loaded coaxial electrospun fibers.
- Characterization of hydrogel properties including gelation time, shear thinning behavior, and sustained Sr2+ release kinetics.
- In vitro assessment of biocompatibility, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) behavior, matrix deposition, and inflammatory response.
- In vivo evaluation of cartilage repair in a rat full-thickness defect model using histological and immunohistochemical analyses.
Main Results:
- The composite hydrogel demonstrated rapid gelation, shear-thinning properties for minimally invasive injection, and sustained Sr2+ release over 30 days.
- In vitro studies showed good biocompatibility, enhanced BMSC proliferation and migration, improved early matrix deposition, and reduced inflammatory cytokine expression.
- In vivo, the hydrogel promoted significant hyaline-like cartilage repair, evidenced by Safranin O staining and increased expression of COL-II and SOX-9.
Conclusions:
- The developed Sr2+-loaded coaxial electrospun fiber composite hydrogel offers a promising strategy for effective articular cartilage repair.
- The material's ability to provide sustained release of biological factors and support cell activity facilitates in vivo regeneration of hyaline-like cartilage.
