Modulating stem cell-chondrocyte interactions for cartilage repair using combinatorial extracellular matrix-containing hydrogels.

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 cells can contribute to cartilage repair either directly through chondrogenic differentiation or indirectly through paracrine signaling. Using a 3D co-culture model, we have recently reported that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can catalyze cartilage formation by neonatal chondrocytes (NChons) when mixed co-cultured in biomimetic hydrogels. However, how matrix cues influence such catalyzed cartilage formation remains unknown. To answer this question, ADSCs and NChons were co-encapsulated in 39 combinatorial hydrogel compositions with decoupled biochemical and mechanical properties. Methacrylated extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules including chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate were incorporated at varying concentrations (0.5%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5%) (w/v). Mechanical testing confirmed that hydrogel stiffness was largely decoupled from ECM cues (15 kPa, 40 kPa and 100 kPa). The biochemical assay and histology results showed that the type of ECM cue played a dominant role in modulating catalyzed cartilage formation, while varying hydrogel stiffness and doses of ECM led to more modest changes. Both chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid led to robust articular cartilage matrix deposition, as shown by the intense staining of aggrecan and type II collagen. In soft hydrogels (15 kPa), chondroitin sulfate led to the highest amount of sulfated glycosaminogly

Evidence level

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

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