REVIEW ARTICLE
Nanoscale Surface Modifications of Medical Implants for Cartilage Tissue Repair and Regeneration
MF Griffin 1, *, M Szarko2, A Seifailan1, PE Butler1, 3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2016Volume: 10
Issue: Suppl-3, M3
First Page: 824
Last Page: 835
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-10-824
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001610010824
Article History:
Received Date: 27/01/2016Revision Received Date: 12/04/2016
Acceptance Date: 31/05/2016
Electronic publication date: 30/12/2016
Collection year: 2016

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International Public License (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode), which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background:
Natural cartilage regeneration is limited after trauma or degenerative processes. Due to the clinical challenge of reconstruction of articular cartilage, research into developing biomaterials to support cartilage regeneration have evolved. The structural architecture of composition of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) is vital in guiding cell adhesion, migration and formation of cartilage. Current technologies have tried to mimic the cell’s nanoscale microenvironment to improve implants to improve cartilage tissue repair.
Methods:
This review evaluates nanoscale techniques used to modify the implant surface for cartilage regeneration.
Results:
The surface of biomaterial is a vital parameter to guide cell adhesion and consequently allow for the formation of ECM and allow for tissue repair. By providing nanosized cues on the surface in the form of a nanotopography or nanosized molecules, allows for better control of cell behaviour and regeneration of cartilage. Chemical, physical and lithography techniques have all been explored for modifying the nanoscale surface of implants to promote chondrocyte adhesion and ECM formation.
Conclusion:
Future studies are needed to further establish the optimal nanoscale modification of implants for cartilage tissue regeneration.