Page 410 - IJB-10-5

International Journal of Bioprinting DEX-Loaded PLGA microspheres enhance cartilage regeneration

In this study, we chose observation time points at polymer degradation. In this study, we developed MPs
3, 7, and 14 days primarily to assess early inflammatory composed of PLGA loaded with DEX, with the aim of
responses and anti-inflammatory effects, which are pivotal circumventing the limitations associated with frequent
during the early treatment phase of acute inflammation. 52–54 injections or oral administration for in vivo drug delivery.
However, we also acknowledge the significance of long- This composite hydrogel scaffold, while maintaining
term effects of tissue-engineered constructs within mechanical strength, regulated the local inflammatory
animal hosts. In subsequent studies, we plan to conduct microenvironment by releasing drug in a sustained
extended experiments (over 3 months) to comprehensively manner in vivo, thus exhibiting anti-inflammatory
evaluate the durability and long-term efficacy of effects. The PLGA MPs loaded with DEX exhibited high
the treatment. encapsulation efficiency and sustained release rates over
time. Although further validation is needed to assess
As the release of DEX increased within the loaded
MPs, we observed a gradual thinning of the capsule, the long-term anti-inflammatory efficacy and cartilage
regeneration potential, the PLGA MPs show promise
validating the alleviation of inflammatory encapsulation. as a valuable adjunct to cartilage tissue engineering,
Simultaneously, the PLGA-dex30 MPs@GelMA group effectively alleviating inflammation and promoting
displayed superior capabilities in cartilage regeneration cartilage regeneration.
and matrix formation compared to the other two
DEX-containing groups. This finding confirmed Acknowledgments
the maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype and the
promotion of chondrocyte proliferation at an optimal None
DEX concentration. Conversely, excessively high DEX
concentrations restricted chondrocyte proliferation, Funding
while lower concentrations potentially failed to This work was supported by the Chinese Academy of
sufficiently inhibit inflammation, resulting in diminished Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences
chondrocyte proliferation capabilities compared to those (2021-I2M-1-052, 2017-I2M-1-007), and the Natural
observed in the PLGA-dex30 MPs@GelMA group. Science Foundation of China (82371796, 82302832).

Several studies have investigated the impact of
DEX concentration on tissue formation and anti- Conflict of interest
inflammatory effects, as well as the application of loaded The authors declare no competing financial interests.
MPs in various inflammatory conditions. For instance,
the PLEL-based MP-gel delivery system (DM/CM/Gel) Author contributions
has been found to effectively suppress joint inflammation
while maintaining cartilage integrity. Additionally, a Conceptualization: Zhuoqi Chen, Xia Liu, Qinghua Yang,
55
thermosensitive hydrogel (PLEL) containing DEX and Haiyue Jiang
resveratrol showed promising therapeutic potential by Data curation: Zhuoqi Chen, Tian Li, Tianfeng Zheng,
promoting osteogenesis and alleviating inflammation Jinshi Zeng
in osteoporotic bone defects. Digital light processing Funding acquisition: Xia Liu, Haiyue Jiang
56
(DLP)-based bioprinting offers exceptional resolution, Investigation: Zhuoqi Chen, Xia Liu, Qinghua Yang
speed, and biocompatibility, which make it a promising Methodology: Zhuoqi Chen, Jinshi Zeng, Xia Liu
technique for future applications in cartilage tissue Visualization: Zhuoqi Chen, Xiaowei Yue, Yanjun Feng,
57
engineering. The combination of human stem cells Luosha Gu, Yuchen Wang, Yue Ma, Wenshuai Liu
and synthetic biomaterials in tissue-engineered grafts Supervision: Qinghua Yang, Haiyue Jiang
shows great potential, though it is yet to be widely Writing–original draft: Zhuoqi Chen
approved for clinical use. Future experiments can Writing–review & editing: Xia Liu
14
explore the application of DLP bioprinting in cartilage
tissue engineering to enhance scaffold precision Ethics approval and consent to participate
and biocompatibility. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the
Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical
5. Conclusion Sciences (Approval No: EAEC 2022-007, EAEC-008).
The controlled release of drugs from PLGA MPs Consent for publication
in 3D-bioprinted constructs presents a promising
strategy for addressing acute inflammation induced by Not applicable.

Volume 10 Issue 5 (2024) 402 doi: 10.36922/ijb.3396