Multifunctional magnetic-responsive hydrogels to engineer tendon-to-bone interface

A versatile magnetic responsive hydrogel of methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (MA-CS) incorporating iron-based superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MA-CS MNPs) and enriched with platelet lysate was successfully developed. The modulation of intrinsic properties like swelling, degradation and release of platelet lysate-origin growth factors were controlled upon the actuation of an external magnetic field (EMF). Tendon-to-bone magnetic responsive hydrogels units were assembled encapsulating tendon derived cells (TDCs), osteogenically differentiated adipose derived stem cells (O-ASCs) and a co-culture of both under EMF stimulation aiming at interfacial approaches. The developed magnetic system represents a potential cell carrier system for interfacial tissue engineering with EMF-controlled properties.248