Membranes · 4 authors, 3 centres
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Researchers developed a curcumin-loaded nanofibrous membrane to wrap engineered cartilage before implanting it into rats. The membrane reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and helped preserve the implanted cartilage by suppressing the immune response.
The study developed a curcumin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) electrospun nanofibrous membrane to create an immunosuppressive niche for tissue-engineered cartilage. In vitro analyses confirmed the membrane's sustained curcumin release and its ability to downregulate inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. For in vivo testing, chondrocyte-seeded PLGA scaffolds were cultured for 3 weeks to create cartilage, which was then wrapped in the membrane and implanted subcutaneously into rats. At weeks 2 and 4 post-implantation, the curcumin-loaded group showed well-preserved cartilage and a suppressed inflammatory response compared to control groups with a pure PLGA membrane or no membrane. The study concludes the membrane effectively generates an immunosuppressive niche to protect cartilage. Limitations include the short 4-week in vivo observation period, the rapid release of curcumin by day 14, the testing of only one curcumin concentration, and the use of a rat model.
