Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair

The regeneration of critical-sized osteochondral defects remains a significant challenge due to the limited self-healing capacity of cartilage. Traditional approaches, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI), have shown promise...

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Main Authors: Gang Zhong, Yixuan Luo, Meng Wang, Zhengran Yu, Xuenong Zou, Gang Wang, Fei Chen, Yin Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-01-01
Series:Engineered Regeneration
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666138125000052
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author Gang Zhong
Yixuan Luo
Meng Wang
Zhengran Yu
Xuenong Zou
Gang Wang
Fei Chen
Yin Yu
author_facet Gang Zhong
Yixuan Luo
Meng Wang
Zhengran Yu
Xuenong Zou
Gang Wang
Fei Chen
Yin Yu
author_sort Gang Zhong
collection DOAJ
description The regeneration of critical-sized osteochondral defects remains a significant challenge due to the limited self-healing capacity of cartilage. Traditional approaches, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI), have shown promise but are limited by issues like insufficient cell availability, dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during expansion, and the formation of fibrocartilage rather than functional hyaline cartilage. This study presents a promising approach utilizing transcript-activated matrices (TAMs) with mRNA to enhance the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in situ. Chemically modified mRNA (cmRNA) encoding transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) was encapsulated in a collagen hydrogel to provide localized, sustained delivery of chondrogenic signals. In a rat model of critical-sized osteochondral defects, this strategy significantly promoted cartilage regeneration, achieving structural and molecular restoration within six weeks. Histological and biochemical analyses revealed robust chondrogenesis, enhanced extracellular matrix deposition, and superior mechanical properties. Moreover, TAM therapy maintained subchondral bone integrity This work highlights the transformative potential of mRNA-activated matrices as a platform technology that not only addresses key limitations of existing cartilage repair strategies but also provides a biomimetic microenvironment that guides stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.
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spelling doaj-art-e346b8caacef4bfbbf2860557adcc1a22025-08-20T03:06:14ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Engineered Regeneration2666-13812025-01-01611112010.1016/j.engreg.2025.03.002Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repairGang Zhong0Yixuan Luo1Meng Wang2Zhengran Yu3Xuenong Zou4Gang Wang5Fei Chen6Yin Yu7Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR ChinaCenter for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR ChinaCenter for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, PR ChinaSIAT-GeneHeal Medicine mRNA Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Corresponding authors at: Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Corresponding authors at: Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Corresponding authors at: Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.The regeneration of critical-sized osteochondral defects remains a significant challenge due to the limited self-healing capacity of cartilage. Traditional approaches, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI), have shown promise but are limited by issues like insufficient cell availability, dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during expansion, and the formation of fibrocartilage rather than functional hyaline cartilage. This study presents a promising approach utilizing transcript-activated matrices (TAMs) with mRNA to enhance the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in situ. Chemically modified mRNA (cmRNA) encoding transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) was encapsulated in a collagen hydrogel to provide localized, sustained delivery of chondrogenic signals. In a rat model of critical-sized osteochondral defects, this strategy significantly promoted cartilage regeneration, achieving structural and molecular restoration within six weeks. Histological and biochemical analyses revealed robust chondrogenesis, enhanced extracellular matrix deposition, and superior mechanical properties. Moreover, TAM therapy maintained subchondral bone integrity This work highlights the transformative potential of mRNA-activated matrices as a platform technology that not only addresses key limitations of existing cartilage repair strategies but also provides a biomimetic microenvironment that guides stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666138125000052Osteochondral defectsTranscript-activated matrixTGF-β3, Osteoarthritis
spellingShingle Gang Zhong
Yixuan Luo
Meng Wang
Zhengran Yu
Xuenong Zou
Gang Wang
Fei Chen
Yin Yu
Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
Engineered Regeneration
Osteochondral defects
Transcript-activated matrix
TGF-β3, Osteoarthritis
title Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
title_full Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
title_fullStr Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
title_full_unstemmed Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
title_short Transcript-activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
title_sort transcript activated collagen matrix for enhanced bone marrow stem cell differentiation and osteochondral repair
topic Osteochondral defects
Transcript-activated matrix
TGF-β3, Osteoarthritis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666138125000052
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AT mengwang transcriptactivatedcollagenmatrixforenhancedbonemarrowstemcelldifferentiationandosteochondralrepair
AT zhengranyu transcriptactivatedcollagenmatrixforenhancedbonemarrowstemcelldifferentiationandosteochondralrepair
AT xuenongzou transcriptactivatedcollagenmatrixforenhancedbonemarrowstemcelldifferentiationandosteochondralrepair
AT gangwang transcriptactivatedcollagenmatrixforenhancedbonemarrowstemcelldifferentiationandosteochondralrepair
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