Neuro-Immunomodulatory Potential of Nanoenabled 4D Bioprinted Microtissue for Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Cartilage defects trigger post-traumatic inflammation, leading to a catabolic metabolism in chondrocytes and exacerbating cartilage degradation. Current treatments aim to relieve pain but fail to target the inflammatory process underlying osteoarthritis progression. Here, we 4D-bioprint a human cartilage microtissue (HCM) nanoenabled with ibuprofen-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (ibu-PLGA NPs) to locally mitigate inflammation and impair nerve sprouting. Under in vitro inflamed environment, the nanoenabled HCM exhibits chondroprotective potential by decreasing the interleukin (IL)1β and IL6 release, while sustaining extracellular matrix (ECM) production. In vivo assessments utilizing the air pouch mouse model affirmed the nanoenabled HCM non-immunogenicity. Nanoenabled HCM-derived secretome did not elicit a systemic immune response and decreases locally the recruitment of mature dendritic cells and the secretion of multiple inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases, when compared to inflamed HCM condition. Notably, the nanoenabled HCM secretome had no impact on the innervation profile of the skin above the pouch cavity, suggesting a potential to impede nerve growth. Overall, HCM nanoenabled with ibu-PLGA NPs emerges as a potent strategy to mitigate inflammation and protect ECM without triggering nerve growth, introducing an innovative and promising approach in the cartilage tissue engineering field. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.