Cartilage tissue engineering: Scaffold, cell, and growth factor-based strategies

Abstract

The avascular, alymphatic, and aneural character of articular cartilage along with the reduced availability of chondrocytes/progenitors, its complex structure, and mechanics pose a major challenge for cartilage regeneration. State-of-the-art therapies for cartilage injuries can at best halt cartilage deterioration and are most often inadequate for promoting regeneration. The emerging field of tissue engineering has contributed significantly in regeneration of complex tissues including cartilage. The tissue engineering triads of scaffolds, cells, and growth factors have been investigated both independently and in combination for cartilage regeneration. This article focuses on the current developments revolving around these three components for the development of cartilage regenerative therapies. More specifically, we discuss about the influence of scaffold type, architecture, chemical/biochemical composition, and mechanical properties on chondrogenesis. Thereafter, different cell sources and types of growth factors that have been used for engineering cartilage tissue have been reviewed. Finally, the last section deals with various biomaterial-based approaches for controlled release of growth factors for cartilage tissue engineering.