Articular cartilage is a highly specialized connective tissue characterized by high hydration and good mechanical strength, and precisely because of its chemical-physical properties, it can absorb stresses within joints, such as compression forces or traumas. Indeed, the presence of this tissue on epiphysis reduces friction between bones and preserves their structural integrity over time. However, articular cartilage has no blood and lymphatic vessels, and as a result, nourishment occurs through passive diffusion by near tissues. Articular cartilage lesions have a hard time healing because of a lack of vascularization and low chondrocyte regenerative potential. Currently, articular cartilage injury repair represents one of the main challenges for orthopedics since available approaches, based on pharmacological therapies and surgical procedures, are not still able to promote the healing process and arrest cartilage structural deterioration. In this context, despite the tissue engineering strategies could represent a turning point, some issues limiting their clinical application will need to be addressed.
The main objective of this special issue will be to provide the state of the art of cartilage tissue engineering, focusing on recent synthetic extracellular matrices and chemical-physical stimuli required to induce and support chondrogenic phenotype. This research topic will also focus on novel 3D culture approaches under static or dynamic conditions or employing innovative scaffold-based or high-density cultures. Finally, culture conditions, chondrogenic medium composition, and the development of novel carriers for controlled delivery of growth factors into scaffolds will also be the focus of this research topic.
We will consider articles that explore, but are not limited to:
- Innovative approaches for cartilage tissue engineering
- Development of new drug delivery systems for the treatment of articular cartilage defects
- Scaffold-based cultures for cartilage tissue engineering
- 3D static and dynamic cultures
- Clinical applications of tissue engineering technologies
- Innovative biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering
- Mesenchymal stem cell for chondrogenic commitment
- Culture conditions and growth factors
Articular cartilage is a highly specialized connective tissue characterized by high hydration and good mechanical strength, and precisely because of its chemical-physical properties, it can absorb stresses within joints, such as compression forces or traumas. Indeed, the presence of this tissue on epiphysis reduces friction between bones and preserves their structural integrity over time. However, articular cartilage has no blood and lymphatic vessels, and as a result, nourishment occurs through passive diffusion by near tissues. Articular cartilage lesions have a hard time healing because of a lack of vascularization and low chondrocyte regenerative potential. Currently, articular cartilage injury repair represents one of the main challenges for orthopedics since available approaches, based on pharmacological therapies and surgical procedures, are not still able to promote the healing process and arrest cartilage structural deterioration. In this context, despite the tissue engineering strategies could represent a turning point, some issues limiting their clinical application will need to be addressed.
The main objective of this special issue will be to provide the state of the art of cartilage tissue engineering, focusing on recent synthetic extracellular matrices and chemical-physical stimuli required to induce and support chondrogenic phenotype. This research topic will also focus on novel 3D culture approaches under static or dynamic conditions or employing innovative scaffold-based or high-density cultures. Finally, culture conditions, chondrogenic medium composition, and the development of novel carriers for controlled delivery of growth factors into scaffolds will also be the focus of this research topic.
We will consider articles that explore, but are not limited to:
- Innovative approaches for cartilage tissue engineering
- Development of new drug delivery systems for the treatment of articular cartilage defects
- Scaffold-based cultures for cartilage tissue engineering
- 3D static and dynamic cultures
- Clinical applications of tissue engineering technologies
- Innovative biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering
- Mesenchymal stem cell for chondrogenic commitment
- Culture conditions and growth factors
