Collagen and Leather (Jun 2024)

Injectable dECM-enhanced hyaluronic microgels with spatiotemporal release of cartilage-specific molecules to improve osteoarthritic chondrocyte’s function

  • Siyan Deng,
  • Hongfu Cao,
  • Yan Lu,
  • Wenqing Shi,
  • Manyu Chen,
  • Xiaolin Cui,
  • Jie Liang,
  • Yujiang Fan,
  • Qiguang Wang,
  • Xingdong Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s42825-024-00158-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract The interior environment of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) presents substantial hurdles, leading to the malfunction of chondrocytes and the breakdown of collagen II-enriched hyaline cartilage matrix. Despite this, most clinical treatments primarily provide temporary relief from OA discomfort without arresting OA progression. This study aimed to alleviate OA by developing intra-articular injectable dECM-enhanced hyaluronic (HE) microgels. The HE hydrogel was engineered and shaped into uniformly sized microgels using microfluidics and photopolymerization techniques. These microgels provided a spatiotemporal cascade effect, facilitating the rapid release of growth factors and a slower release of ECM macromolecules and proteins. This process assisted in the recovery of OA chondrocytes’ function, promoting cell proliferation, matrix synthesis, and cartilage-specific gene expression in vitro. It also effectively aided repair of the collagen II-enriched hyaline cartilage and significantly reduced the severity of OA, as demonstrated by radiological observation, gross appearance, histological/immunohistochemical staining, and analysis in an OA rat model in vivo. Collectively, the HE injectable microgels with spatiotemporal release of cartilage-specific molecules have shown promise as a potential candidate for a cell-free OA therapy approach. Graphical Abstract

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