title: Photocrosslinkable hyaluronan as a scaffold for articular cartilage repair.
abstract: Hyaluronan-based scaffolds are of interest for tissue-engineered cartilage repair due to an important role for hyaluronan in cartilage development and function. In this study, an in situ photocrosslinkable hyaluronan (HA-MA) was developed and evaluated as a scaffold for articular cartilage repair. Chondrocytes were encapsulated in crosslinked HA-MA and evaluated for their ability to synthesize cartilaginous matrix in vitro. The mechanical and physical properties of the crosslinked HA-MA hydrogels were similar to that of other hydrogels, with compressive and dynamic shear moduli of 0.6 and 0.3 kPa, respectively, and diffusion coefficients of 600-8000 microm2/s depending on molecular weight. Chondrocytes remained rounded in the HA-MA hydrogels in vitro, and accumulated significant amounts of cartilaginous matrix. Osteochondral defects filled with HA-MA were infiltrated with cells, appeared to integrate well with native tissue, and also accumulated substantial cartilaginous matrix by 2 weeks after surgery. In summary, photocrosslinkable HA-MA promoted the retention of the chondrocytic phenotype and cartilage matrix synthesis for encapsulated chondrocytes in vitro and accelerated healing in an in vivo osteochondral defect model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Dana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Nettles
authors.forename: T Parker
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Vail
authors.forename: Meredith T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Grinstaff
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Setton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004058:Diffusion; D004548:Elasticity; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid