title: Nanotechnology biomimetic cartilage regenerative scaffolds.
abstract: Cartilage has a limited regenerative capacity. Faced with the clinical challenge of reconstruction of cartilage defects, the field of cartilage engineering has evolved. This article reviews current concepts and strategies in cartilage engineering with an emphasis on the application of nanotechnology in the production of biomimetic cartilage regenerative scaffolds. The structural architecture and composition of the cartilage extracellular matrix and the evolution of tissue engineering concepts and scaffold technology over the last two decades are outlined. Current advances in biomimetic techniques to produce nanoscaled fibrous scaffolds, together with innovative methods to improve scaffold biofunctionality with bioactive cues are highlighted. To date, the majority of research into cartilage regeneration has been focused on articular cartilage due to the high prevalence of large joint osteoarthritis in an increasingly aging population. Nevertheless, the principles and advances are applicable to cartilage engineering for plastic and reconstructive surgery.
authors.affiliation: The Blizard Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. ; Department of Materials and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Erh-Hsuin
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK. ; Instituto Superior Técnico and ICEMS, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jose Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sardinha
authors.affiliation: The Blizard Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Myers
keywords: Biomimetics; Cartilage; Guided tissue regeneration; Nanotechnology; Tissue scaffolds