Open AccessTranslational applications of photopolymerizable hydrogels for cartilage repair
Author(s) -
Meng Weikun,
Gao Liang,
Venkatesan Jagadeesh K.,
Wang Guanglin,
Madry Henning,
Cucchiarini Magali
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of experimental orthopaedics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2197-1153
DOI - 10.1186/s40634-019-0215-3
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , cartilage , regeneration (biology) , biomedical engineering , photopolymer , mesenchymal stem cell , in vivo , tissue engineering , osteoarthritis , regenerative medicine , materials science , articular cartilage , cartilage damage , stem cell , medicine , anatomy , polymerization , microbiology and biotechnology , polymer , pathology , biology , composite material , polymer chemistry , alternative medicine
Background Articular cartilage lesions generated by trauma or osteoarthritis are the most common causes of pain and disability in patients. Abstract The development of photopolymerizable hydrogels has allowed for significant advances in cartilage repair procedures. Such three‐dimensional (3D) networks of polymers that carry large amounts of water can be created to resemble the physical characteristics of the articular cartilage and be delivered into ill‐defined cartilage defects as a liquid solution prior to polymerization in vivo for perfect fit with the surrounding native tissue. These hydrogels offer an adapted environment to encapsulate and propagate regenerative cells in 3D cultures for cartilage repair. Among them, mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes may represent the most adapted sources for implantation. They also represent platforms to deliver therapeutic, biologically active factors that promote 3D cell differentiation and maintenance for in vivo repair. Conclusion This review presents the benefits of photopolymerization of hydrogels and describes the photoinitiators and materials in current use for enhanced cartilage repair.