Chitosan-PEG/PEG-dialdehyde for Culture of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cartilage Regeneration

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and degenerative disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone changes, and synovial inflammation. Current clinical treatments focus on symptom relief and lack the ability to regenerate articular cartilage. Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC)-based therapy shows promise for OA treatment due to their multipotency to differentiate into chondrocytes and their immunomodulatory capabilities. However, achieving minimally invasive, highly retentive, and low side-effect delivery of hMSCs to target sites remains challenging. Biocompatible hydrogels are well-regarded for their potential in controlled delivery and release of therapeutics and biologics for tissue repair. In this study, we present a biocompatible, biodegradable, and injectable polysaccharide hydrogel (Chitosan-PEG/PEG-dialdehyde), designed to create a highly biocompatible environment at the cartilage defect site to facilitate cartilage regeneration. The hydrogel was formed through a Schiff-base reaction by gently mixing two components: Chitosan-PEG and PEG-dialdehyde. This gel demonstrated well-defined injectability and rapid gelation at physiological temperatures. The rheological properties, pore size, degradation, swelling, and adhesion capability can be controlled to sustain hMSC viability, activity, and differentiation potential. This injectable hydrogel/stem cell hybrid system holds potential for broader applications in cell-based biomedical therapy.