Cartilage matrix-inspired biomimetic superlubricated nanospheres for treatment of osteoarthritis

Hao Chen; Tao Sun; Yufei Yan; Xiuling Ji; Yulong Sun; Xin Zhao; Jin Qi; Wenguo Cui; Lianfu Deng; Hongyu Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.119931

Cartilage matrix-inspired biomimetic superlubricated nanospheres for treatment of osteoarthritis

Biomaterials. 2020 Feb 29:242:119931. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.119931. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Hao Chen¹, Tao Sun², Yufei Yan³, Xiuling Ji², Yulong Sun², Xin Zhao⁴, Jin Qi³, Wenguo Cui⁵, Lianfu Deng⁶, Hongyu Zhang⁷

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China; Department of Spinal Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200120, PR China.
² State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
³ Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China.
⁴ Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
⁵ Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China. Electronic address: wgcui80@hotmail.com.
⁶ Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China. Electronic address: lf_deng@126.com.
⁷ State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. Electronic address: zhanghyu@tsinghua.edu.cn.

PMID: 32145507
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.119931

Abstract

The superlubrication of natural joint has been attributed to hydration lubrication of articular cartilage. Here, inspired by the structure of phosphatidylcholine lipid (a typical cartilage matrix) with the presence of zwitterionic charges, we developed superlubricated nanospheres, namely poly (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)-grafted mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs-NH₂@PMPC), via photopolymerization. The biomimetic nanospheres could enhance lubrication due to the formation of a tenacious hydration layer surrounding the zwitterionic charges of polymer brushes (PMPC), and achieve local delivery of an anti-inflammatory drug employing the nanocarriers (MSNs). The tribological and drug release tests showed improved lubrication and sustained drug release of the nanospheres. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo tests revealed that the superlubricated drug-loaded nanospheres inhibited the development of osteoarthritis by up-regulating cartilage anabolic components and down-regulating catabolic proteases and pain-related gene. The nanospheres, with an integrated feature of both enhanced lubrication and sustained drug delivery, can be an efficient intra-articular nanomedicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Articular cartilage; Biomimetic; Hydration lubrication; Nanospheres; Osteoarthritis.