AUTHOR=Yang Jianhua , Jing Xiaoguang , Wang Zimin , Liu Xuejian , Zhu Xiaofeng , Lei Tao , Li Xu , Guo Weimin , Rao Haijun , Chen Mingxue , Luan Kai , Sui Xiang , Wei Yen , Liu Shuyun , Guo Quanyi 

TITLE=In vitro and in vivo Study on an Injectable Glycol Chitosan/Dibenzaldehyde-Terminated Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogel in Repairing Articular Cartilage Defects

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2021.607709

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2021.607709

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=The normal anatomical structure of articular cartilage determines its limited ability to regenerate and repair. Once damaged, it is difficult to repair it by itself . How to realize the regeneration and repair of articular cartilage has always been a big problem for clinicians and researchers . Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the physical properties and cytocompatibility of hydrogels, and evaluated their feasibility as cell carriers for ADSC transplantation. Concentration-matched hydrogels were co-cultured with ADSCs to confirm ADSC growth in the hydrogel and provide data supporting in vivo experiments, which comprised the hydrogel/ADSCs, pure-hydrogel, defect-placement, and positive-control groups. Rat models of articular cartilage defect in the knee joint region was generated, and each treatment was administered on the knee joint cartilage area for each group; in the positive-control group, the joint cavity was surgically opened, without inducing a cartilage defect. The reparative effect of injectable GCS/DF-PEG hydrogel on injured articular cartilage was evaluated by measuring gross scores and histological score of knee joint articular-cartilage injury in rats after eight weeks. The 1.5% GCS/2% DF-PEG hydrogels degraded quickly in vitro. Then, We perform in vivo and in vitro experiments to evaluate the feasibility of this material for cartilage repair in vivo and in vitro.