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In situ cross‐linkable hyaluronan hydrogel enhances chondrogenesis
Author(s) -
Aulin Cecilia,
Bergman Kristoffer,
JensenWaern Marianne,
Hedenqvist Patricia,
Hilborn Jöns,
Engstrand Thomas
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-7005
pISSN - 1932-6254
DOI - 10.1002/term.415
Subject(s) - chondrogenesis , chemistry , in situ , self healing hydrogels , hyaluronic acid , biomedical engineering , biophysics , polymer chemistry , in vitro , anatomy , biochemistry , engineering , biology , organic chemistry
The present work describes the feasibility of a cross‐linkable injectable hyaluronan hydrogel for cartilage repair. The hydrogel used is a two‐component system based on aldehyde‐modified hyaluronan and hydrazide‐modified polyvinyl alcohol, which are rapidly cross‐linked in situ upon mixing. The in vitro study showed that chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells cultured in the gel form cartilage‐like tissue, rich in glycosaminoglycans, collagen type II and aggrecan. In a rabbit animal model the injection of the hydrogel improved the healing of a full‐thickness cartilage defect created in the knee as compared to non‐treated controls. This rabbit study showed that the regenerated cartilage defects stained more intensely for type II collagen upon treatment with the hydrogel. The hyaluronan‐based hydrogel may be used as a delivery vehicle for both growth factors and/or cells for cartilage repair. The in vivo study also indicated that the hydrogel alone has a beneficial effect on cartilage regeneration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.