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Lu, et al.
cartilage, drug-loaded injectable hydrogels may promote enough stiffness and meniscus ECM composition. Such
cartilage repair and reduce the incidence of OA. hydrogels exhibited excellent elasticity, toughness, fast
The dECM is one of the commonly used materials recovery, and stress unloading properties. Excellent
for meniscal repair, which has shown a great potential meniscus regeneration and cartilage protection could
in the previous studies. The dECM components (e.g., be verified in vivo. The proposed bio-ink will play an
collagen, proteoglycans, and elastin molecules) are effective role in meniscal repair.
naturally derived . The retention of dECM is vital for
[41]
the bioactivity to accommodate tissue specificity and to Funding
modulate immune response. However, the mechanical This work was supported by the National Natural
properties of dECM are about 200 – 500 kPa, which Science Foundation of China (81972095), Natural
is far from the requirements of meniscal repair . The Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20200121,
[42]
introduction of PVA and other crosslinking agents can BK20202013), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
enhance the crosslinking of hydrogels and maintain the (2020M671454), National Key Research and
long-term stability. The PVA/dECM hydrogel showed Development Project (2021YFA1201400).
good meniscus regeneration and cartilage protection
in vivo. Cell-based tissue engineering represents a Conflict of interest
promising management for repair and regeneration of
meniscus. The regenerated fibrochondrocytes are closely The authors declare that there is no conflict of
arranged, secreting collagen fibers in the cell matrix. interest.
The regenerated meniscus has a good protective effect
on the contact surface between femur and tibia, while Author contributions
subchondral bone remains intact. The application of PVA/ Conceptualization: Biao Cheng, Lan Li, Qing Jiang
dECM hydrogel might alter the long-term poor prognosis Methodology: Jianhao Huang, Jing Jin, Cunmei Xie
of cartilage. Formal analysis: Bin Xue, Jiancheng Lai
These findings imply that the PVA/dECM bio-ink has Writing-original draft: Jingwei Lu, Jianhao Huang
high printability and that the bio-ink hydrogel may mimic Writing-review and editing: Lan Li.
the mechanical function of a natural meniscus, which
could be useful in preventing meniscal degeneration after References
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Several limitations of the present study should
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In summary, the bio-ink had a promising printability and medial meniscectomy in an older population. J Bone Joint
the PVA/dECM hydrogel showed excellent mechanical Surg Am, 63:115–9.
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In addition, the PVA/dECM hydrogel showed a similar 7. Johnson RJ, Kettelkamp DB, Clark W, et al., 1974, Factors
surface structure to natural meniscus and provided Effecting Late Results after Meniscectomy. J Bone Joint Surg

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