The Role of Tissue Engineering in Articular Cartilage Repair and Regeneration

TLDR

Articular cartilage repair is largely intractable because of its poor regenerative properties, yet tissue engineering has attracted intense interest for its potential to restore cartilage function. This review aims to describe the current state and progress of articular cartilage repair and regeneration. The review surveys traditional therapies and their limitations, then examines promising cell sources, biocompatible scaffolds, scaffoldless approaches, growth factors, mechanical stimuli, and discusses technical and regulatory challenges and future directions.

Abstract

Articular cartilage repair and regeneration continue to be largely intractable because of the poor regenerative properties of this tissue. The field of articular cartilage tissue engineering, which aims to repair, regenerate, and/or improve injured or diseased articular cartilage functionality, has evoked intense interest and holds great potential for improving articular cartilage therapy. This review provides an overall description of the current state of and progress in articular cartilage repair and regeneration. Traditional therapies and related problems are introduced. More importantly, a variety of promising cell sources, biocompatible tissue engineered scaffolds, scaffoldless techniques, growth factors, and mechanical stimuli used in current articular cartilage tissue engineering are reviewed. Finally, the technical and regulatory challenges of articular cartilage tissue engineering and possible future directions are also discussed.