Injectable Chitosan Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration.

Alinejad, Yasaman; Adoungotchodo, Atma; Grant, Michael P; Epure, Laura M; Antoniou, John; Mwale, Fackson; Lerouge, Sophie · Tissue Eng Part A · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A thermosensitive chitosan-based hydrogel was developed, which mimics the mechanical properties of the human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue and provides a suitable environment for seeded NP cells to live and produce glycosaminoglycans. This scaffold is injectable through 25G needle and rapidly gels <i>in vivo</i> at body temperature. It has the potential to restore mechanical properties and stimulate biological repair of the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD). It could therefore be used for the minimally invasive treatment of degenerated IVD, which affects more than one person out of five in the world.

Medical subject headings