Biomimetic Poly(Poly(ε-caprolactone)-Polytetrahydrofuran urethane) Based Nanofibers Enhanced Chondrogenic Differentiation and Cartilage Regeneration.

Scaffolds for stem cell-based therapy of cartilage defect require bioactivity and stiffness mimicking to the native cartilage matrix. In this study, we fabricated electrospun nanofibers composited of cartilage matrix components (collagen or chondroitin sulfate) and poly(ε-caprolactone)-polytetrahydrofuran (PCL-PTHF). PCL-PTHF with rat tail derived collagen was named PR and PCL-PTHF with chondroitin sulfate (PS) termed PS, which have a modulus of 7.5 MPa and 3.6 MPa, respectively, within the range of cartilage matrix. Their chondrogenic potential for guiding chondrogenic differentiation and promoting cartilage regeneration were investigated based upon mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Results showed that both PR and PS nanofibers have the ability to induce chondrogenesis of MSCs and accelerate the regeneration of injured cartilage surface, probably via the suppression of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway as evidenced by microarray profiles. Comparatively, PR showed better chondrogenic potential both and than that of PS, which may induce chondrogenesis through Hypoxia inducing factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. This study may provide reference for MSC based therapy of cartilage defects.