According to a study published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, a team of researchers from POSTECH, Dongguk University Medical Centre, and Nature Gluetech in Korea have devised a therapeutic solution for damaged cartilage. Cartilage is a bone-protecting tissue that absorbs any trauma to the joints and allows free fluid motion of the joints.

Although it has a low innate healing capacity, stem cell transplantation is a potential therapeutic strategy for dealing with cartilage inflammation and damage as well as stimulating cartilage regeneration.

However, the quick clearance of transplanted stem cells from the fluid environment surrounding cartilage and the smooth surface of the cartilage itself is a significant drawback of this technique, leading to less desirable treatment results.

In this study, the researchers circumvented the constraints of the regular treatment by developing a unique bio-adhesive substance in the form of a viscous, immiscible liquid phase. This biomaterial was formalized by combining mussel adhesion protein with high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, which has opposing charges and enhances the electrostatic interactions between the two components.

The researchers have developed an adhesive substance that can firmly encapsulate stem cells and aid their solid adhesion to the transplantation site by creating a very viscous liquid bio-adhesive that does not dissolve or swell in water. 

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/study-reveals-new-treatment-strategy-for-damaged-cartilage/1561046/ )