Cartilage Tissue Regeneration: The Roles of Cells, Stimulating Factors and Scaffolds

Title:Cartilage Tissue Regeneration: The Roles of Cells, Stimulating Factors and Scaffolds

Volume: 13 Issue: 7

Author(s): Kui Huang, Qing Li, Yong Li, Zhihao Yao, Daowen Luo, Pengcheng Rao and Jingang Xiao*

Affiliation:

• Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000,China

Keywords: Cartilage tissue regeneration, articular cartilage, chondrocytes, fibroblasts, stem cells, stimulating factors, scaffolds.

Abstract: Cartilage tissue engineering is an emerging technique for the regeneration of cartilage tissue damaged as a result of trauma or disease. As the propensity for healing and regenerative capabilities of articular cartilage are limited, its repair remains one of the most challenging issues of musculoskeletal medicine. Clinical treatments intended to promote the success and complete repair of partial- and fullthickness articular cartilage defects are still unpredictable. However, one of the most exciting theories is that treatment of damaged articular cartilage can be realized with cartilage tissue engineering. This notion has prompted tissue engineering research involving cells, stimulating factors and scaffolds, either alone or in combination. With these perspectives, this review aims to present a summary of cartilage tissue engineering including development, recent progress, and major steps taken toward the regeneration of functional cartilage tissue. In addition, we discussed the role of stimulating factors, including growth factors, gene therapies, biophysical stimuli, and bioreactors, as well as scaffolds, including natural, synthetic, and nanostructured scaffolds, in cartilage tissue regeneration. Special emphasis was placed on cell source, including chondrocytes, fibroblasts, and stem cells, as an important component of cartilage tissue engineering techniques. In conclusion, continued development of cartilage tissue engineering will support future applications for patients suffering from diseased cartilage tissue problems and osteoarthritis.

Cite this article as:

Huang Kui , Li Qing , Li Yong, Yao Zhihao , Luo Daowen, Rao Pengcheng and Xiao Jingang *, Cartilage Tissue Regeneration: The Roles of Cells, Stimulating Factors and Scaffolds, Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2018; 13 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574888X12666170608080722