Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease involving entire joint. It is often initiated from the low-grade inflammation in synovial tissue and then affects articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Multiple risk factors, such as aging, mechanical overloading, trauma, overuse, etc. are involved in OA development. Several approaches have been utilized to repair cartilage defects. Among them, biomaterials-based mesenchymal stromal cell (MSCs) therapy is considered as the most promising modality. The burgeoning material science and manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, allow us to mimic native articular cartilage and regulate the artificial cartilage development, regeneration and functional restoration. In this review article, we will summarize the recent progress of biomaterials combined with MSCs or chondrocytes in repairing cartilage damage induced by OA. Several typical natural and synthetic biomaterials, such as collagen, alginate, hyaluronic acid and poly(ethylene glycol), polylactide acid, polyurethane, etc. for cartilage repairing will be introduced. Moreover, critical signaling pathways associated with the progression of OA, as well as the targeted pharmacologic, genetic therapies and tissue engineering scaffolds for OA and cartilage repairing are presented. We will also provide our prospects for future directions in this active research area.

Key words: Osteoarthritis, Cartilage Repairing, Biomaterials, 3D printing, Signaling pathways