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...

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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
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006702
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author Ruizhe Zhao
Bing Liang
Yijie Shi
Jianfei Gao
Xuezhe Wang
Tianyi Shao
Kunyue Xing
Mingzhe Yan
Tianrui Wang
Yingze Zhang
Dongming Xing
author_facet Ruizhe Zhao
Bing Liang
Yijie Shi
Jianfei Gao
Xuezhe Wang
Tianyi Shao
Kunyue Xing
Mingzhe Yan
Tianrui Wang
Yingze Zhang
Dongming Xing
author_sort Ruizhe Zhao
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-dd6ba4be0fb74e0da2d79f34f1b94e0b2025-08-20T03:31:40ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-10-013410210010.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102100Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regenerationRuizhe Zhao0Bing Liang1Yijie Shi2Jianfei Gao3Xuezhe Wang4Tianyi Shao5Kunyue Xing6Mingzhe Yan7Tianrui Wang8Yingze Zhang9Dongming Xing10Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Qingdao College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, ChinaCancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Qingdao College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, ChinaCancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Qingdao College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, ChinaCancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Qingdao College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, ChinaCancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Qingdao College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, ChinaCancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Qingdao College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, ChinaUCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UKCancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Corresponding author.Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China; Orthopaedic Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Corresponding author. Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China.Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China; Orthopaedic Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; Corresponding author. Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China.Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Corresponding author. Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China.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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006702Immunomodulatory biomaterialsOsteoarthritisCartilage regenerationImmune responseResponsive biomaterialsDrug delivery
spellingShingle Ruizhe Zhao
Bing Liang
Yijie Shi
Jianfei Gao
Xuezhe Wang
Tianyi Shao
Kunyue Xing
Mingzhe Yan
Tianrui Wang
Yingze Zhang
Dongming Xing
Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
Materials Today Bio
Immunomodulatory biomaterials
Osteoarthritis
Cartilage regeneration
Immune response
Responsive biomaterials
Drug delivery
title Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
title_full Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
title_fullStr Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
title_full_unstemmed Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
title_short Immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis: Targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
title_sort immunomodulatory biomaterials for osteoarthritis targeting inflammation and enhancing cartilage regeneration
topic Immunomodulatory biomaterials
Osteoarthritis
Cartilage regeneration
Immune response
Responsive biomaterials
Drug delivery
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006702
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