Northwestern University scientists have developed a new bioactive material that successfully regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of a large-animal model. Although it looks like a rubbery goo, the material is actually a complex network of molecular components, which work together to mimic cartilage's natural environment in the body. In the new study, the researchers applied the material to damaged cartilage in the animals' knee joints.
Within just six months, the researchers observed evidence of enhanced repair, including the growth of new cartilage containing the natural biopolymers (collagen II and proteoglycans), which enable pain-free mechanical resilience in joints. With more work, the researchers say the new material someday could potentially be used to prevent full knee replacement surgeries, treat degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and repair sports-related injuries like ACL tears. The study will be published during the week of August 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Cartilage is a critical component in our joints," said Northwestern's Samuel I. Stupp, who led the study. "When cartilage becomes damaged or breaks down over time, it can have a great impact on people's overall health and mobility.
The problem is that, in adult humans, cartilage does not have an inherent ability to heal. Our new therapy can induce repair in a tissue that does not naturally regenerate. We think our treatment could help address a serious, un.