ArticleBioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)2025
An Injectable Kartogenin-Incorporated Hydrogel Supports Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cartilage Tissue Engineering.
Article in Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- MSC-Hydrogel Composite Systems for Knee Cartilage Repair and Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Hybrid hydrogel system integrating thermoresponsive microspheres and KGN-loaded nanofibers enables efficient cartilage matrix regeneration.Regenerative biomaterials · 2026Article
- Starch-Gelatin-Based Scaffolds for Cartilage Defect Repair: An in vitro Study Supporting Its Potential Clinical Use.Cartilage · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundCartilage defects and injuries often lead to osteoarthritis, posing significant challenges for cartilage repair. Traditional treatments have limited efficacy, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to develop an injectable hydrogel-based tissue engineering construct to enhance cartilage regeneration by combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the small molecule drug kartogenin (KGN).
methodsAn injectable hydrogel was synthesized by crosslinking carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) with aldehyde-modified cellulose nanocrystals (DACNCs). KGN was incorporated into the hydrogel during crosslinking to achieve sustained drug release. Three hydrogels with varying CMC/DACNC molar ratios (MR = 0.11, 0.22, and 0.33) were developed and characterized for their structural, mechanical, and biocompatible properties. The hydrogel with the optimal ratio (MR = 0.33) was further evaluated for its ability to support MSC viability and differentiation in vitro. Additionally, signaling pathways (TGF-β, FOXO, and PI3K-AKT) were investigated to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo efficacy was assessed using a rabbit femoral trochlear cartilage defect model.
resultsThe hydrogel with a higher CMC/DACNC molar ratio (MR = 0.33) exhibited increased compressive modulus, a reduced swelling rate, and superior biocompatibility, effectively promoting MSC differentiation in vitro. Signaling pathway analysis revealed activation of the TGF-β, FOXO, and PI3K-AKT pathways, suggesting enhanced chondrogenic potential. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the KGN-MSC-encapsulated hydrogel significantly improved cartilage repair.
conclusionsThe injectable CMC/DACNC hydrogel, combined with KGN and MSCs, synergistically enhanced cartilage regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. This study highlights the potential of this hydrogel as a promising scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering, offering a novel therapeutic approach for cartilage defects and injuries.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.