3D bioprinted scaffolds for osteochondral regeneration: advancements and applications

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Osteochondral defects, involving concurrent damage to articular cartilage and subchondral bone, pose significant clinical challenges due to their complex hierarchical structure and limited self-healing capacity. Traditional repair strategies often fail to replicate the biomechanical and biological gradients inherent to native osteochondral tissue, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a transformative approach, enabling precise spatial deposition of biomaterials, cells, and signaling factors to construct biomimetic scaffolds with tailored gradients. This review systematically examines the physiological and pathological features of osteochondral units, emphasizing their zonal heterogeneity in extracellular matrix composition, mechanical properties, and cellular organization. Advancements in 3D bioprinting technologies are examined, and their efficacy in fabricating multi-layered and gradient scaffolds is evaluated. Key components of bioinks are discussed, focusing on optimizing bioink rheology, biocompatibility, and functional integration. Innovative strategies for embedding biochemical cues and designing continuous structural gradients are explored to address challenges in interfacial stress distribution and cell differentiation control. Furthermore, the design principles of biomimetic gradient scaffolds are highlighted for their crit

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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