title: Extracellular matrix-based cryogels for cartilage tissue engineering.
abstract: In this study, we investigated various highly porous extracellular matrix (ECM)-based cryogels for cartilage tissue engineering. For the fabrication of ECM-based cryogels, either methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (MeCS) or methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) were cross-linked along with poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylates (PEGDA) via free radical polymerization under freezing conditions. This procedure induces ice crystallization (used as a porogen) prior polymer crosslinking in which, after complete cryopolymerization, a thawing process transforms the ice crystals into a unique interconnected macroporous structure within ECM-cryogels. The developed ECM-cryogels exhibited an average macroporosity of 75% and supported the infiltration of chondrocyteds. When rabbit chondrocytes were cultured on ECM-cryogels, MeCS-based cryogels stimulated aggrecan gene expression and GAG accumulation, whereas MeHA-based cryogels stimulated type II collagen gene expression and collagen accumulation. These results demonstrate that design of ECM-based cryogels can play an important role in promoting specific ECM proteins secretion for cartilage tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Eui
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Su-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, N-Bio Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hwan D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, N-Bio Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Gu
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; UTC CNRS UMR 7338, Biomechanics and Bioengineering (BMBI), University of Technology of Compiègne, BP 20529, Rue Personne de Roberval, Compiègne, France; Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Sidi A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bencherif
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Il
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, N-Bio Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: nshwang@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Nathaniel S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D059985:Cryogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016062:Porosity; D012038:Regeneration; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D059985:Cryogels
keywords: Cartilage tissue engineering; Chondroitin sulfate; Cryogel; Hyaluronic acid; Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylates