New soft tissue engineering technique could bring better cartilage replacement options

A new technique for creating replacement cartilage using an innovative soft tissue engineering method has been invented, researchers explain in Nature Communications.
Experts from around the world investigated a new combination of 3D printed microfibre scaffolding and hydrogels to find a better way of using biocompatible materials to repair human tissues. They created scaffolding filaments as thin as five micrometres in diameter, a 20-fold improvement over conventional methods.
The technique provided room for cell growth and mechanical stiffness, promoting healing and growth of new tissue. The composites produced showed elasticity and stiffness comparable to natural knee joint tissue and supported the growth and cross-linking of human cartilage cells.
“It allows us to more closely imitate nature’s way of building joint cartilage, which means reinforcing a soft gel – proteoglycans or, in our case, a biocompatible hydrogel – with a network of very thin fibres, explains Prof Dietmar Hutmacher. “The new approach looks promising not only for joint repair, but also for uses such as breast reconstruction following a post-tumor mastectomy or heart tissue engineering.”

Subscribe to Arthritis Digest, the UK’s fastest growing arthritis magazine for all the latest arthritis news, reviews and celebrity interviews. You’ll know what your doctor is talking about, what new drugs are in the pipeline and be up to date on helpful products. Hard copy and digital versions both available. Click here for more information.

Image credit: Muffet68