Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Biomimetic Polysaccharides and
Derivatives for Cartilage Tissue
Regeneration
Ferdous Khan*
and Sheikh Rafi Ahmad
School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Abstract
Cartilage tissue engineering is an emerging technology for the regeneration of
such tissues damaged by disease or trauma. Unlike other types of tissue, carti-
lage does not have a blood supply and, therefore, lacks regenerative capabilities.
Hence, there is an urgent need to develop cartilage tissues in clinically translatable
conditions for regeneration. This fi eld of research involves the choice of the appro-
priate cells and biomaterials, devising signaling factors to the defect site for regen-
eration. The objective of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive synopsis of
different approaches and recent advancements that have been taking place in this
area, with an emphasis on various biomimetic polysaccharide-based biomaterials
with integrated cell sources (e.g., chondrocytes, fi broblasts, and stem cells). Stem
cells undergo chondrogenesis and deposit neocartilage in a variety of biomaterial-
based scaffolds. However, there is still a limitation in recapitulating the properties
of native tissues. Thus, the design of biomaterials that support the distribution of
formed tissue is crucial for the optimization of cartilage formation. The state-of-
the art of advances in biomaterials and knowledge of their interaction with cells
are also evaluated in this chapter. Additionally, the importance of signaling factors
on cellular behavior that promote the production of cartilage tissue, that, in turn,
mimics native tissue properties, accelerates restoration of tissue function and is
clinically translatable, has been addressed here. Finally, the challenges, limitation
and future prospect of cartilage regeneration are discussed.
Keywords:
Chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, cellulose, biomimetic 3D scaffold,
cartilage tissue engineering
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