Patch for cartilage

Scientists restored knee cartilage by electric shock

Tatiana Matveeva, "Scientific Russia"

Bioengineers from the University of Connecticut (USA) have successfully restored articular cartilage in a rabbit's knee using piezoelectricity. One day, a new method may allow the restoration of damaged cartilage in humans, according to a press release Regrowing Cartage in a Damaged Knee Gets Closer to Fixing Arthritis. A detailed description of the development appeared in the journal Science Translational Medicine (Liu et al., Exercise-induced piezoelectric stimulation for cartage regeneration in rabbits).

Researchers have developed a tissue framework made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibers, a biodegradable polymer that is used in surgical thread. 

The nanomaterial has the properties of a piezoelectric. When it is compressed, it produces a small release of electric current. Regular joint movements – for example, when walking – can lead to the fact that the PLLA framework will generate weak electrical impulses, prompting cells to turn into cartilage. No external growth factors or stem cells (which could potentially cause undesirable side effects) are required. Most importantly, the growing cartilage is mechanically strong.

The team tested the development on the knee of a wounded rabbit. After implantation of the skeleton, the rabbit was forced to jump on a treadmill, and, as expected, the cartilage recovered normally. 

"Piezoelectricity is a phenomenon that also exists in the human body. Bones, cartilage, collagen, DNA and various proteins have a piezoelectric response," says Dr. Yang Liu, lead author of the published work.

Scientists plan to test the work of the frame on larger animals: both for the young and the elderly. Arthritis is usually an age-related disease, and young animals recover more easily than old ones. If piezoelectric "forests" help old animals recover as well, this could really be a breakthrough in bioengineering.

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