A Self-assembled, drug-deliverable Nanomaterial for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
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A Self-assembled, drug-deliverable Nanomaterial for Cartilage Tissue Engineering Yupeng Chen1, 2, Hicham Fenniri4 and Thomas J. Webster2, 3 1
Chemistry Department, 2Division of Engineering, 3Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University, Providence, 02912, RI, USA. 4 National Institute for Nanotechnology and Department of Chemistry, National Research Council and University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G ZV4, CANADA.
ABSTRACT The current clinical treatment of cartilage defects involves autologous chondrocyte implantation into the cartilage defect site. However, one of the complications associated with this method is the lack of bonding between the implanted materials and natural tissue. Helical rosette nanotubes (HRNs) are novel biomimetic self-assembled supramolecular structures whose basic building blocks are DNA base-pairs. HRNs are similar in size to collagen in cartilage. Moreover, previous studies have shown that HRNs are biocompatible and increase the adhesion of numerous cells compared to other commonly used cartilage implant materials (like hydrogels and Ti). In addition, HRNs can solidify into a viscous gel at body temperatures under short periods of time. Thus, it is hoped that HRNs can serve as a novel in situ tissue implant to improve cartilage cell adhesion and functions. In this study, in order to heal cartilage ruptures and regenerate cartilage during possible implantations, the mechanical properties of select hydrogel/HRN composites were tested. In addition, electro-spinning was used to generate three-dimensional, implantable, composite fibers encapsulated with chondrocytes and fibroblast-like type-B synoviocytes (SFB cells, a type of mesenchymal stem cell). Importantly, results showed that drug-deliverable HRNs enhanced hydrogel adhesive strength and created a scaffold with nanometer-rough surface structures pertinent for cartilage regeneration. In this manner, this study provided an alternative cartilage regenerative material which relies on nanotechnology that can be injected as a liquid, solidify at body temperatures under short periods of time, have suitable mechanical properties to collagen, and promote cell functions.
INTRODUCTION Articular cartilage defects are widespread, because of intensive sports activities, genetic disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis) and osteoarthritis. Due to cartilage loss, patients usually have significant pain and are limited in joint motion. Today, more than 20 million Americans suffer from arthritis [1]. It is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55 in the United States [2]. Except for artificial joint replacements (usually including metals) with their associated short functional life-span, there is no appropriate long-lasting treatment for cartilage damage. Currently, many researchers have focused on promoting cartilage tissue growth to repair the joints of patients instead of relying on complete joint replacement surgeries [3] [4].
Autologous chondrocyte implantation/transplantation (ACI/ACT) is a cellular based therapy alre
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