Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 500 million globally, with U.S. cases expected to surpass 78 million by 2040. It involves cartilage loss, bone changes, and inflammation, causing pain and disability. Current treatments ease symptoms but do not regenerate cartilage, which cannot be repaired well due to a lack of blood vessels and nutrients. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are being studied for their potential in repair, but they face challenges such as poor retention and survival when injected alone. Scaffold methods, such as hydrogels and implants, provide structure but often require invasive procedures and do not integrate well with the surrounding tissue. Injectable hydrogels are less invasive, biocompatible, and can carry cells; however, they usually lack features such as dynamic remodeling and a fibrous network, which are crucial for cell function. Native cartilage's collagen nanofibers support cell adhesion and signaling. This project aims to create an injectable hydrogel with fragmented collagen nanofibers to mimic natural ECM, boosting hMSC adhesion, remodeling, and cartilage repair for OA.
