Synergistic Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Anti‐Inflammatory Therapeutics Within Hydrogel Matrices For Enhanced Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Promotion of Cartilage Regeneration

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent degenerative joint disorder, characterized by chronic joint pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of articular cartilage. To address this, the project developed an inflammatory-targeting drug delivery system to mitigate underlying inflammation. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, a crosslinked polymer network with excellent water absorption and retention capabilities, was utilized as the drug carrier platform. The polydopamine (PDA) particles were leveraged to effectively eliminate reactive oxygen species and reduce oxidative stress. Furthermore, R-7050, a cell-permeable triazoline compound, was encapsulated as a TNF-α inhibitor for targeted anti-inflammatory therapy. To enhance therapeutic efficacy, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were incorporated into the drug delivery system, which can secrete neurotrophic factors, promote vascular regeneration, and exert superior anti-inflammatory effects. Results have demonstrated that the developed drug delivery system (SC@PDA/PVA-R7050 Gel) could sustain the release of therapeutic agents in the affected joint area, thereby improving the treatment efficacy. The synergistic integration of the PVA hydrogel, PDA, R-7050, and MSCs provides a novel and promising solution for the targeted therapy of osteoarthritis, with significant clinical application potential. (177 words in total).