next-generation cartilage therapy: 1
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High Strength Gel That Spontaneously Bonds Strongly with Bone Tissue
Development of a safe, high-strength bonding method between wet materials and bone, which has been difficult to achieve so far, by utilizing bone healing in living organisms
In answer to the issue of in vivo fixation by applying the much anticipated high-strength hydrogel as a next-generation artificial cartilage or cartilage tissue regeneration scaffold material, we have developed a simple, non-toxic, high-strength adhesion method using hydroxyapatite, an inorganic component of bone tissue.
Research
The high-strength, high-toughness double-network gel (DN gel) previously developed by our group has excellent properties such as low wear on cartilage and induction of cartilage tissue regeneration in a natural joint, and is being studied for application as an artificial cartilage material and cartilage regeneration induction material. On the other hand, it is difficult to fix and maintain such a gel in a natural joint, which has been a major issue with the practical use of this material. In this study, we developed a fixation method that allows bone tissue regeneration to progress spontaneously into the gel and adhere firmly by compounding hydroxyapatite (HAp), the main inorganic component of bone tissue, to the surface layer of the DN gel. In addition to excellent mechanical properties and cartilage regeneration ability, the realization of non-toxic in vivo adhesion to bone is a great step forward toward the practical application of DN gel for joint treatment.
Takayuki Nonoyama Associate Professor
