heparin-conjugated fibrin hydrogel + mesenchymal stem cells + transforming growth factor-beta1 + bone morphogenetic protein-4

This therapeutic construct is an injectable tissue-engineered product designed for the regeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone in patients with osteochondral defects or osteoarthritis. It comprises a heparin-conjugated fibrin (HCF) hydrogel scaffold that serves as a sustained-release delivery system for synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SDMSCs) and two potent chondroinductive growth factors: transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4). The heparin component within the fibrin matrix facilitates the controlled release of the growth factors by protecting them from proteolysis and prolonging their biological activity. TGF-beta1 and BMP-4 act synergistically to induce the chondrogenic differentiation of the encapsulated MSCs, promoting the synthesis of hyaline cartilage extracellular matrix components, such as type II collagen and aggrecan, while minimizing the formation of inferior fibrocartilage. This combination therapy aims to provide a localized, bioactive microenvironment that supports both structural repair and biological integration within the joint.

Other names

HCF hydrogel + MSCs + TGF-beta1 + BMP-4HCF + SDMSC + TGF-beta1 + BMP-4heparin-conjugated fibrin hydrogel with SDMSCs and chondrogenic growth factors