Extracellular matrix imitation utilizing nanofibers-embedded biomimetic scaffolds for facilitating cartilage regeneration

Abstract Repair of cartilage legions remains a big challenge for clinicians due to the limit self-regeneration ability of cartilage. A SF-based scaffold that reinforced by the SF–chitin hybrid nanofibers and impregnated with TGF-β1 is developed to mimic extracellular matrix and facilitate cartilage regeneration. The composite scaffold with an excellent biocompatibility exhibited the suitable elasticity and hardness after incorporation of the SF–chitin hybrid nanofibers. The attachment and proliferation of chondrocytes was also improved by a rough morphology created by the SF–chitin hybrid nanofibers. As a chondrogenic growth factor, TGF-β1 was incorporated into the composite scaffold and modulated the performance of scaffolds by inducing cells homing. In the treatment of rat cartilaginous defects, the SF–chitin hybrid nanofiber-functionalized composite scaffold loaded with TGF-β1 remarkably accelerated the cartilage regeneration. Thus, the SF–chitin hybrid nanofiber/TGF-β1-functionalized scaffold fabricated in this study promotes the adhesion and proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro, and cartilage regeneration in vivo, thus offering a suitable strategy for the repair of cartilage defects.