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Cangjian Gao

Other affiliations: Chinese PLA General Hospital
Bio: Cangjian Gao is an academic researcher from Nankai University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Regeneration (biology) & Tissue engineering. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 11 publications receiving 38 citations. Previous affiliations of Cangjian Gao include Chinese PLA General Hospital.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a 3D-bioprinted difunctional scaffold was developed based on aptamer HM69-mediated MSC-specific recruitment and growth factor-enhanced cell chondrogenesis.
Abstract: Articular cartilage (AC) lesions are fairly common but remain an obstacle for clinicians and researchers due to their poor self-healing capacity. Recently, a promising therapy based on the recruitment of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been developed for the regeneration of full-thickness cartilage defects in the knee joint. In this study, a 3D-bioprinted difunctional scaffold was developed based on aptamer HM69-mediated MSC-specific recruitment and growth factor-enhanced cell chondrogenesis. The aptamer, which can specifically recognize and recruit MSCs, was first chemically conjugated to the decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix and then mixed with gelatin methacrylate to form a photocrosslinkable bioink ready for 3D bioprinting. Together with the growth factor that promoted cell chondrogenic differentiation, the biodegradable polymer poly(e-caprolactone) was further chosen to impart mechanical strength to the 3D bioprinted constructs. The difunctional scaffold specifically recruited MSCs, provided a favorable microenvironment for cell adhesion and proliferation, promoted chondrogenesis, and thus greatly improved cartilage repair in rabbit full-thickness defects. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that 3D bioprinting of difunctional scaffolds could be a promising strategy for in situ AC regeneration based on aptamer-directed cell recruitment and growth-factor-enhanced cell chondrogenesis.

38 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on the current status of multilayered scaffolds developed for AC defect repair, including design strategies based on the degree of defect severity and the zone-specific characteristics of AC tissue, the selection and composition of biomaterials, and techniques for design and manufacturing.
Abstract: Due to the sophisticated hierarchical structure and limited reparability of articular cartilage (AC), the ideal regeneration of AC defects has been a major challenge in the field of regenerative medicine. As defects progress, they often extend from the cartilage layer to the subchondral bone and ultimately lead to osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering techniques bring new hope for AC regeneration. To meet the regenerative requirements of the heterogeneous and layered structure of native AC tissue, a substantial number of multilayered biomimetic scaffolds have been studied. Ideal multilayered scaffolds should generate zone-specific functional tissue similar to native AC tissue. This review focuses on the current status of multilayered scaffolds developed for AC defect repair, including design strategies based on the degree of defect severity and the zone-specific characteristics of AC tissue, the selection and composition of biomaterials, and techniques for design and manufacturing. The challenges and future perspectives of biomimetic multilayered scaffold strategies for AC regeneration are also discussed.

27 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of the concepts, categories, and applications of bioreactors for cartilage TE with emphasis on the design of various bioreactor systems can be found in this article,.
Abstract: Tissue engineering (TE) has brought new hope for articular cartilage regeneration, as TE can provide structural and functional substitutes for native tissues. The basic elements of TE involve scaffolds, seeded cells, and biochemical and biomechanical stimuli. However, there are some limitations of TE; what most important is that static cell culture on scaffolds cannot simulate the physiological environment required for the development of natural cartilage. Recently, bioreactors have been used to simulate the physical and mechanical environment during the development of articular cartilage. This review aims to provide an overview of the concepts, categories, and applications of bioreactors for cartilage TE with emphasis on the design of various bioreactor systems.

24 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a composite scaffold by 3D printing a poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold as backbone, followed by injection with the meniscus extracellular matrix (MECM), and modification with kartogenin (KGN)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microsphere (μS).
Abstract: Meniscus tissue engineering (MTE) aims to fabricate ideal scaffolds to stimulate the microenvironment for recreating the damaged meniscal tissue. Indeed, favorable mechanical properties, suitable biocompatibility, and inherent chondrogenic capability are crucial in MTE. In this study, we present a composite scaffold by 3D printing a poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold as backbone, followed by injection with the meniscus extracellular matrix (MECM), and modification with kartogenin (KGN)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microsphere (μS), which serves as a drug delivery system. Therefore, we propose a plan to improve meniscus regeneration via KGN released from the 3D porous PCL/MECM scaffold. The final results showed that the hydrophilicity and bioactivity of the resulting PCL/MECM scaffold were remarkably enhanced. In vitro synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) experiments suggested that introducing MECM components helped cell adhesion and proliferation and maintained promising ability to induce cell migration. Moreover, KGN-incorporating PLGA microspheres, which were loaded on scaffolds, showed a prolonged release profile and improved the chondrogenic differentiation of SMSCs during the 14-day culture. Particularly, the PCL/MECM-KGN μS seeded by SMSCs showed the highest secretion of total collagen and aggrecan. More importantly, the synergistic effect of the MECM and sustained release of KGN can endow the PCL/MECM-KGN μS scaffolds with not only excellent cell affinity and cell vitality preservation but also chondrogenic activity. Thus, the PCL/MECM-KGN μS scaffolds are expected to have good application prospects in the field of MTE.

17 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the current polymers used to fabricate meniscal scaffolds and their applications in vivo and in vitro to evaluate their potential utility in meniscal tissue engineering is presented.
Abstract: Knee menisci are structurally complex components that preserve appropriate biomechanics of the knee. Meniscal tissue is susceptible to injury and cannot heal spontaneously from most pathologies, especially considering the limited regenerative capacity of the inner avascular region. Conventional clinical treatments span from conservative therapy to meniscus implantation, all with limitations. There have been advances in meniscal tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in terms of potential combinations of polymeric biomaterials, endogenous cells and stimuli, resulting in innovative strategies. Recently, polymeric scaffolds have provided researchers with a powerful instrument to rationally support the requirements for meniscal tissue regeneration, ranging from an ideal architecture to biocompatibility and bioactivity. However, multiple challenges involving the anisotropic structure, sophisticated regenerative process, and challenging healing environment of the meniscus still create barriers to clinical application. Advances in scaffold manufacturing technology, temporal regulation of molecular signaling and investigation of host immunoresponses to scaffolds in tissue engineering provide alternative strategies, and studies have shed light on this field. Accordingly, this review aims to summarize the current polymers used to fabricate meniscal scaffolds and their applications in vivo and in vitro to evaluate their potential utility in meniscal tissue engineering. Recent progress on combinations of two or more types of polymers is described, with a focus on advanced strategies associated with technologies and immune compatibility and tunability. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future prospects for regenerating injured meniscal tissues.

14 citations


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages for the manufacturing of biomimetic hydrogels for cartilage regeneration are presented, as well as current limitations and challenges of such hydrogel formulations.
Abstract: Cartilage regeneration and repair remain a clinical challenge due to the limited capability of cartilage to self-regenerate. Worldwide, the costs associated with cartilage regeneration per patient are estimated on average £30 000 for producing and supplying cells. Regenerative approaches may include the use of cell therapies and tissue engineering by combining relevant cells, scaffolds and instructive biomolecules to stimulate or modulate cartilage repair. Hydrogels have been of great interest within these fields to be used as 3D substrates to cultivate and grow cartilage cells. Currently, biomimetic hydrogels with adequate biological and physicochemical properties, such as mechanical properties, capable of supporting load-bearing capability, are yet to succeed. In this review, biomaterials’ advantages and disadvantages for the manufacturing of biomimetic hydrogels for cartilage regeneration are presented. Different studies on the formulation of cartilage-like hydrogels based on materials such as gelatin, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol are summarised and contrasted in terms of their mechanical properties (e.g. elastic modulus) and ability to enhance cell function such as cell viability and GAG content. Current limitations and challenges of biomimetic hydrogels for cartilage regeneration are also presented.

60 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a cartilage regenerative system was developed based on a chitosan (CS) hydrogel/3D-printed poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) hybrid containing synovial MSCs and recruiting tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (TFNA) injected into the articular cavity.

49 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
23 Oct 2020
TL;DR: Lipid availability determines fate of skeletal progenitor cells via SOX9 and its role in cell reprograming is revealed.
Abstract: van Gastel, N., Stegen, S., Eelen, G., Schoors, S., Carlier, A., Daniels, V. W., Baryawno, N., Przybylski, D., Depypere, M., Stiers, P-J., Lambrechts, D., Van Looveren, R., Torrekens, S., Sharda, A., Agostinis, P., Lambrechts, D., Maes, F., Swinnen, J., Geris, L., ... Carmeliet, G. (2020). Lipid availability determines fate of skeletal progenitor cells via SOX9. Nature, 579(7797), 111-117. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-0202050-1

42 citations