Alginate sulfate/ECM composite hydrogel containing electrospun nanofiber with encapsulated human adipose-derived stem cells for cartilage tissue engineering.

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)

Stem cell therapy is a promising strategy for cartilage tissue engineering, and cell transplantation using polymeric scaffolds has recently gained attention. Herein, we encapsulated human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) within the alginate sulfate hydrogel and then added them to polycaprolactone/gelatin electrospun nanofibers and extracellular matrix (ECM) powders to mimic the cartilage structure and characteristic. The composite hydrogel scaffolds were developed to evaluate the relevant factors and conditions in mechanical properties, cell proliferation, and differentiation to enhance cartilage regeneration. For this purpose, different concentrations (1-5 % w/v) of ECM powder were initially loaded within an alginate sulfate solution to optimize the best composition for encapsulated hASCs viability. Adding 4 % w/v of ECM resulted in optimal mechanical and rheological properties and better cell viability. In the next step, electrospun nanofibrous layers were added to the alginate sulfate/ECM composite to prepare different layered hydrogel-nanofiber (2, 3, and 5-layer) structures with the ability to mimic the cartilage structure and function. The 3-layer structure was selected as the optimum layered composite scaffold, considering cell viability, mechanical properties, swelling, and biodegradation behavior; moreover, the chondrogenesis potential was assessed, and the results s

Evidence level

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

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