Modular hydrogel niche orchestrates microenvironment detoxification and stem cell redirecting toward precision osteoarthritis therapy.

ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA), a debilitating degenerative joint disease driven by chronic inflammation and cartilage degradation, remains inadequately addressed by current therapies. While mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer regenerative potential, their clinical efficacy is hindered by poor survival, transient retention, and pathological joint microenvironments. Here, we present a bioengineered hydrogel-based stem cell niche (PPT hydrogel) that dynamically coordinates microenvironmental reprogramming and MSC functional redirection to achieve sustained OA treatment. The PPT platform integrates intrinsic antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties to neutralize OA-associated oxidative stress and inflammation while enhancing bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) survival via Hedgehog signaling activation, over

SUBMITTER: Huang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12686719 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature