Photo-crosslinkable semi-interpenetrating hydrogels embedding stem cell spheroids for condensation-driven 3D artificial cartilage tissue formation
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내용
Cartilage, composed of chondrocytes and dense extracellular matrix, is crucial for maintaining mobility and durability by enabling nearly frictionless joint articulation. To mimic complex characteristics of cartilage and appropriately guide cell function and response, a carefully designed engineered cartilage tissue is required. Recent studies have focused on using spheroid and hydrogel to engineer cartilage, emphasizing mesenchymal stem cell condensation during chondrogenesis and microenvironment of cartilage. Here, UV-crosslinkable semi-interpenetrating hydrogel consisting of hexanoyl glycol chitosan and gelatin methacrylol with embedding stem cell spheroids was developed to recapitulate mesenchymal condensation process during cartilage development. We hypothesized that hydrogel may provide an environment that prevents excessive spheroid sprouting while enhancing cadherin-mediated cell-cell interaction and reducing hypertrophy, which is an ideal design for in vitro engineered 3D cartilage tissue.