Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, impaired mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function, and chronic inflammation, ultimately leading to irreversible structural damage and functional impairment. Despite its high global burden, no regulatory...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ruizhe Zhao, Bing Liang, Yijie Shi, Jianfei Gao, Xuezhe Wang, Tianyi Shao, Kunyue Xing, Mingzhe Yan, Tianrui Wang, Yingze Zhang, Dongming Xing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Materials Today Bio
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006702
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, impaired mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function, and chronic inflammation, ultimately leading to irreversible structural damage and functional impairment. Despite its high global burden, no regulatory agency has yet approved a disease-modifying therapy for OA, and effective interventions to halt or delay its progression remain a major challenge. Recent research highlights the pivotal role of the immune system in OA pathogenesis, with immunomodulatory biomaterials emerging as a promising strategy to simultaneously regulate inflammatory responses and promote tissue regeneration. These biomaterials, by leveraging their biocompatibility and immunoregulatory properties, offer a transformative alternative to conventional OA therapies, which predominantly focus on symptom management rather than targeting the underlying disease mechanisms. In this review, we comprehensively examine various immunomodulatory biomaterial strategies designed to mitigate OA progression. We first elucidate the immune landscape of OA, detailing the interplay between inflammation and disease pathophysiology. Next, we explore the latest advancements in immunomodulatory biomaterials, including nanoparticles (NPs), hydrogels, and scaffolds, highlighting their potential to reshape OA treatment. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and propose future directions for optimizing biomaterial-based immunotherapies to enhance OA management.
ISSN:2590-0064