International Journal of Nanomedicine (Mar 2024)
Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Janus Nanofibers Containing Compound K for Cartilage Regeneration
Abstract
Hyun Ho Shin,1,* Junyoung Park,2,* Yeo-Jin Kim,3 Donghyeon Kim,2 Eun-Jung Jin,2,4 Ji Hyun Ryu1,3,4 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Wonkwang, University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54538, Republic of Korea; 2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54538, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Carbon Convergence Engineering, Smart Convergence Materials Analysis Center, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54538, Republic of Korea; 4Integrated Omics Institute, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54538, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ji Hyun Ryu, Department of Carbon Convergence Engineering, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54538, Republic of Korea, Email [email protected] Eun-Jung Jin, Department of Biological Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54538, Republic of Korea, Email [email protected]: Cartilage regeneration is a challenging issue due to poor regenerative properties of tissues. Electrospun nanofibers hold enormous potentials for treatments of cartilage defects. However, nanofibrous materials used for the treatment of cartilage defects often require physical and/or chemical modifications to promote the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. Thus, it is highly desirable to improve their surface properties with functionality. We aim to design hydrophilic, adhesive, and compound K-loaded nanofibers for treatments of cartilage defects.Methods: Hydrophilic and adhesive compound K-containing polycaprolactone nanofibers (CK/PCL NFs) were prepared by coatings of gallic acid-conjugated chitosan (CHI-GA). Therapeutic effects of CHI-GA/CK/PCL NFs were assessed by the expression level of genes involved in the cartilage matrix degradation, inflammatory response, and lipid accumulations in the chondrocytes. In addition, Cartilage damage was evaluated by safranin O staining and immunohistochemistry of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) using OA animal models. To explore the pathway associated with therapeutic effects of CHI-GA/CK/PCL NFs, cell adhesion, phalloidin staining, and the expression level of integrins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) were evaluated.Results: CHI-GA-coated side of the PCL NFs showed hydrophilic and adhesive properties, whereas the unmodified opposite side remained hydrophobic. The expression levels of genes involved in the degradation of the cartilage matrix, inflammation, and lipogenesis were decreased in CHI-GA/CK/PCL NFs owing to the release of CK. In vivo implantation of CHI-GA/CK/PCL NFs into the cartilage reduced cartilage degradation induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. Furthermore, the accumulation of lipid deposition and expression levels of IL-1β was reduced through the upregulation of PPAR.Conclusion: CHI-GA/CK/PCL NFs were effective in the treatments of cartilage defects by inhibiting the expression levels of genes involved in cartilage degradation, inflammation, and lipogenesis as well as reducing lipid accumulation and the expression level of IL-1β via increasing PPAR. Keywords: polycaprolactone nanofibers, gallic acid-conjugated chitosan, compound K, hydrophilic coating, adhesive material, cartilage regeneration
