microRNA-activated hydrogels for enhanced cartilage repair

Articular cartilage has limited capacity for repair given its non-vascularized connective tissue structure and low cellular density. This study, recently published by Shan An et al., describes the development of an injectable microRNA (miR)-activated hydrogel for cartilage repair. The hydrogel is based on  Lifeink 200® collagen type I hydrogel, combined with methacrylated hyaluronic acid and collagen type II, which was used to deliver a pro-chondrogenic miR-221 inhibitor to stem cells.

Down-regulation of miR-221 did not affect cell viability and enhanced chondrogenesis resulting in improved cartilage-like matrix formation with significantly higher levels of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and col II produced by cells in the hydrogel. These results provide evidence of the potential of the miR-activated hydrogel as a minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for articular cartilage repair.

Shan An, et al. Materials Today Bio, 30 (2025) 101382: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101382