Kartogenin-loaded chitosan composite scaffold with cartilage-mimetic microstructure for layered osteochondral repair and cartilage phenotype maintenance.

ABSTRACT: Osteochondral defects represent a formidable clinical challenge due to their distinctive stratified architecture and limited intrinsic healing capacity. However, conventional tissue engineering scaffolds exhibit significant limitations in replicating the gradient properties of native osteochondral tissue while maintaining chondrogenic phenotypes. This study presents a novel bio-customized gradient scaffold CSK@G inspired by natural osteochondral architecture, developed through strategic material composition control and graduated porosity design techniques, for integrated repair of osteochondral defects. Through precise biomimetic design, the scaffold successfully recapitulates the spatial heterogeneity of native tissue by accurately mimicking five anatomically distinct layers-superficial c

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12813363 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature