1 research outputs found
Injectable and Degradable POSS–Polyphosphate–Polysaccharide Hybrid Hydrogel Scaffold for Cartilage Regeneration
The
limited self-repair capacity of articular cartilage
has motivated
the development of stem cell therapy based on artificial scaffolds
that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of cartilage tissue. In
view of the specificity of articular cartilage, desirable tissue adhesiveness
and stable mechanical properties under cyclic mechanical loads are
critical for cartilage scaffolds. Herein, we developed an injectable
and degradable organic–inorganic hybrid hydrogel as a cartilage
scaffold based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-cored
polyphosphate and polysaccharide. Specifically, acrylated 8-arm star-shaped
POSS-poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) (POSS-8PEEP-AC) was synthesized
and cross-linked with thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) to form a
degradable POSS-PEEP/HA hydrogel. Incorporation of POSS in the hydrogel
increased the mechanical properties. The POSS-PEEP/HA hydrogel showed
enzymatic biodegradability and favorable biocompatibility, supporting
the growth and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).
The chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated hMSCs was promoted
by loading transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) in the hydrogel. In addition, the injectable POSS-PEEP/HA
hydrogel was capable of adhering to rat cartilage tissue and resisting
cyclic compression. Furthermore, in vivo results revealed that the
transplanted hMSCs encapsulated in the POSS-PEEP/HA hydrogel scaffold
significantly improved cartilage regeneration in rats, while the conjugation
of TGF-β3 achieved a better therapeutic effect. The
present work demonstrated the potential of the injectable, biodegradable,
and mechanically enhanced POSS-PEEP/HA hybrid hydrogel as a scaffold
biomaterial for cartilage regeneration