Work

Crosslinking substrate regulates frictional properties of tissue-engineered cartilage and chondrocyte response to loading

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hydrogels are frequently used in regenerative medicine due to their hydrated, tissue-compatible nature, and tuneable mechanics. While many strategies enable bulk mechanical modulation, little attention is given to tuning surface tribology, and its impact on cellular behavior under mechanical stimuli. Here, we demonstrate that photocrosslinking hydrogels on hydrophobic substrates leads to significant, long-lasting reductions in surface friction, ideal for cartilage tissue regeneration. Gelatin methacryloyl and hyaluronic acid methacrylate hydrogels photocrosslinked on polytetrafluoroethylene possess more hydrated, lubricious surfaces, with lower friction coefficients and crosslinking densities than those crosslinked on glass. This facilitated self-lubrication via water exudation, limiting shear during biaxial stimulation. When subject to intermittent biaxial loading mimicking joint movement, low-friction chondrocyte-laden neo-tissues formed superior hyaline cartilage, confirming the benefits of reduced friction on tissue development. Finally, in situ photocrosslinking enabled precise hydrogel formation in a full-thickness cartilage defect, highlighting the clinical potential and emphasizing the importance of crosslinking substrate in regenerative medicine. Hydrogels are useful materials in regenerative medicine applications with surface properties having an important effect on cellular behavior. Here, photocrosslinking hydrogels on hydrophobic substrates leads to long-lasting reductions in surface friction which is ideal for cartilage tissue regeneration.

Source: Communications Materials

DOI: 10.1038/s43246-025-00781-8