Advancements in Engineering for the Treatment of Joint Diseases
Owen R. Thornton
a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
Wenjun Li *
Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States and Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Joint diseases such as osteoarthritis are a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, and current treatments have numerous limitations in terms of efficacy and side effects. However, advancements in engineering treatments, including tissue engineering and stem cell therapy, have shown promise in providing better solutions for joint disease treatment. Biomaterials, growth factors, and synthetic polymers are being explored to create new tissues and organs, and genetic engineering and 3D printing have shown potential benefits in the field of engineering treatments. Nevertheless, developing new treatments is a complex and time-consuming process, and further clinical trials and improved infrastructure are needed to translate in vitro and preclinical data into clinical applications. Future directions for joint disease treatment engineering include the development of more biomimetic scaffolds and incorporation of stem cells to improve tissue regeneration.
Keywords: Joint diseases, tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, biomaterials, 3D printing