Abstract

The ideal scaffold for cartilage regeneration is expected to provide adequate mechanical strength, controlled degradability, adhesion, and integration with the surrounding native tissue. As it does this, it mimics natural ECMs functions, which allow for nutrient diffusion and promote cell survival and differentiation. Injectable hydrogels based on tyramine (TA)-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA) and dextran (Dex) are a promising approach for cartilage regeneration. The properties of the hydrogels used in this study were adjusted by varying polymer concentrations and ratios. To investigate the changes in properties and their effects on cellular behavior and cartilage matrix formation, different ratios of HA- and dextran-based hybrid hydrogels at both 5 and 10% w/v were prepared using a designed mold to control generation. The results indicated that the incorporation of chondrocytes in the hydrogels decreased their mechanical properties. However, rheological and compression analysis indicated that 5% w/v hydrogels laden with cells exhibit a significant increase in mechanical properties after 21 days when the constructs are cultured in a chondrogenic differentiation medium. Moreover, compared to the 10% w/v hydrogels, the 5% w/v hybrid hydrogels increased the deposition of the cartilage matrix, especially in constructs with a higher Dex–TA content. These results indicated that 5% w/v hybrid hydrogels with 25% HA–TA and 75% Dex–TA have a high potential as injectable scaffolds for cartilage tissue regeneration.

Highlights

  • Articular cartilage is a firm, smooth, viscoelastic padding at the ends of bones that ensure smooth, frictionless, and pain-free joint movement [1,2]

  • We developed an injectable hybrid hydrogel composed of a hyaluronic acid (HA) backbone with tyramine conjugated dextran (Dex–TA) sidechains [12]

  • Our results indicated that the incorporation of chondrocytes in the hydrogels introduced soft pockets in the hydrogel matrix, which decreased their mechanical properties on a macroscopic level

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Summary

Introduction

Articular cartilage is a firm, smooth, viscoelastic padding at the ends of bones that ensure smooth, frictionless, and pain-free joint movement [1,2]. An ideal scaffold for cartilage regeneration is expected to provide adequate mechanical strength, controlled degradability, adhesion, and integration with the surrounding native tissue. As it does this, it mimics natural ECMs functions, which allow for nutrient diffusion and the promotion of cell survival and differentiation [7,8]. It is anticipated that the development of such an effective biomaterial would significantly enhance the potential to develop effective therapies for tissue regeneration and function improvement One of these promising regenerative therapies is the use of in situ-forming (injectable) hydrogels: a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold that mimics the hydrated environment of articular cartilage

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