Thermosensitive and biodegradable PCL-based hydrogels: potential scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

Abstract

Due to a lack of sufficient blood supply and unique physicochemical properties, the treatment of injured cartilage is laborious and needs an efficient strategy. Unfortunately, most of the current therapeutic approaches are, but not completely, unable to restore the function of injured cartilage. Tissue engineering-based modalities are an alternative option to reconstruct the injured tissue. Considering the unique structure and consistency of cartilage tissue (osteochondral junction), it is mandatory to apply distinct biomaterials with unique properties slightly different from scaffolds used for soft tissues. PCL is extensively used for the fabrication of fine therapeutic scaffolds to accelerate the restorative process. Thermosensitive PCL hydrogels with distinct chemical compositions have paved the way for sophisticated cartilage regeneration. This review aimed to collect recent findings regarding the application of PCL in hydrogels blended with natural, synthetic materials in the context of cartilage healing.

Keywords:

• PCL
• thermosensitive hydrogels
• engineered scaffolds
• cartilage

Acknowledgment

The authors wish to thank the personnel of the Stem Cell Research Center and Applied Drug Research Center for guidance and help.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This article was written as a part of Ph.D thesis (No.116) registered at Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. This study was supported by grants (grant No.61782) from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (IR.TBZMED.REC.1395.74).