Issue 20, 2022

High-performance bilayer composites for the replacement of osteochondral defects

Abstract

Osteochondral (OC) defects combine damage to cartilage and subchondral bone, posing a significant challenge to their repair due to the dissimilar characteristics and regenerative capabilities between the two tissues. Here, we propose novel OC bilayer composites, drawing inspiration from corresponding biological tissues and using a combination of simple and reproducible techniques. Cartilage-like materials based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels were produced with nanofiber reinforcements acquired from high-performance fibers (Kevlar® and Zylon®), while bone-like materials were obtained by adding magnesium-substituted calcium phosphate ceramics to PVA. All composites were sterilized by gamma irradiation to rule out the possibility of undesirable effects resulting from the process, and then fully characterized. The results indicated that nanofibers and bioceramics incorporated into the PVA networks form promising structures with multiple interesting properties. The composites resembling cartilage and bone showed high biomimicry with natural tissues, being able to reconcile exceptional mechanics with the requirements of adequate porosity, liquid content, and biological behavior. The developed materials reveal a high potential for use in OC tissue repair applications.

Graphical abstract: High-performance bilayer composites for the replacement of osteochondral defects

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 maj 2022
Accepted
15 aug 2022
First published
15 aug 2022

Biomater. Sci., 2022,10, 5856-5875

High-performance bilayer composites for the replacement of osteochondral defects

A. S. Oliveira, J. C. Silva, L. Figueiredo, F. C. Ferreira, N. A. Kotov, R. Colaço and A. P. Serro, Biomater. Sci., 2022, 10, 5856 DOI: 10.1039/D2BM00716A

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