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Mussel‐Inspired Tough Hydrogel with In Situ Nanohydroxyapatite Mineralization for Osteochondral Defect Repair
Author(s) -
Gan Donglin,
Wang Zhixiong,
Xie Chaoming,
Wang Xiao,
Xing Wensi,
Ge Xiang,
Yuan Huipin,
Wang Kefeng,
Tan Hui,
Lu Xiong
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201901103
Subject(s) - cartilage , self healing hydrogels , bilayer , materials science , gelatin , biomedical engineering , regeneration (biology) , bone healing , biophysics , chemistry , anatomy , polymer chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , membrane , biochemistry , biology , medicine
Repairing osteochondral defects is a considerable challenge because it involves the breakdown of articular cartilage and underlying bone. Traditional hydrogels with a homogenized single‐layer structure cannot fully restore the function of osteochondral cartilage tissue. In this study, a mussel‐inspired hydrogel with a bilayer structure is developed to repair osteochondral defects. The hydrogel is synthesized by simultaneously polymerizing two layers using a one‐pot method. The resulting upper and lower gelatin methacryloyl‐polydopamine hydrogel layers are used as cartilage and subchondral bone repair layers, respectively. Polydopamine‐induced hydroxyapatite in situ mineralization takes place in the lower layer to mimic the structure of subchondral bone. The bilayer hydrogel exhibits good mechanical properties for the synergistic effect of covalent and noncovalent bonds, as well as nanoreinforcement of mineralized hydroxyapatite. To improve the tissue‐inducibility of hydrogels, transforming growth factor β 3 is immobilized in the upper layer to induce cartilage regeneration, while bone morphogenetic protein 2 is immobilized in the lower layer to induce bone regeneration. Bone and cartilage repair performance of the hydrogel is examined by implantation into a full‐thickness cartilage defect of a rabbit knee joint. The bilayer‐structure hydrogel promotes regeneration of osteochondral tissue, thus providing a new option for repair of osteochondral defects.