Novel Hyaluronic Acid Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Utilizing Yield Stress for Ease of Implantation

Abstract

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among U.S. adults, and yet surprisingly, current therapies fail to effectively treat cartilage damage [1]. Instead, treatment primarily involves reducing symptoms, or in the case of osteoarthritis, a costly joint replacement. Thus, tissue engineering is aspiring to regenerate cartilage by providing a biocompatible and biodegradable construct that provides the structural integrity of the native cartilage and facilitates cartilage cell growth and tissue integration. Promising materials for these constructs are hydrogels, which are commonly comprised of materials such as collagen, agarose, poly(ethylene glycol), and hyaluronic acid (HA) [2].