ArticleJournal of stem cells & regenerative medicine2025
Development of Small Molecular Drug-Loaded Microspheres for Enhanced Cartilage Regeneration.
Article in Journal of stem cells & regenerative medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Micro-nano integrated platforms for osteoarthritis therapy: From spatial manipulation to cellular reprogramming.Materials today. Bio · 2026Review
- Intelligent GelMA microspheres co-loaded with BMSCs and Kartogenin for spatiotemporally controlled release and immunomodulatory regeneration of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Articular cartilage has limited self-repair ability, making osteoarthritis a major challenge due to aging and mechanical stress. While current therapies provide partial functional improvement, their outcomes remain suboptimal, highlighting the need for regenerative strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promises due to their chondrogenic potential, and kartogenin (KGN) enhances this process. This study examines KGN-loaded gelatin microspheres (KMs) for cartilage regeneration. KMs were synthesized via gelatin-KGN dispersion in ice-cooled hexane, followed by glutaraldehyde cross-linking. Scanning electron microscopy showed porous KMs (200-800 μm) with interconnected pores (2-10 μm), while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed gelatin and KGN presence. hMSCs were cultured with KMs, showing no cytotoxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulated chondrogenic markers (SOX9, ACAN, COMP, COL2A1). Western blotting and immunofluorescence confirmed increased chondrogenic protein production. Sulfated glycosaminoglycan content increased over four weeks, indicating extracellular matrix maturation. This study demonstrates that KMs effectively deliver KGN, enhancing MSC chondrogenesis. Small molecule-based biomaterials may offer an alternative to growth factors in osteochondral tissue engineering, warranting further in vivo validation.
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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.