Osteoarthntis results in cartilage degeneration and is the leading cause of physical disability among Americans. Articular cartilage integrates with bone via the osteochondral interface, a calcified cartilage region that separates the uncalcified deep zone cartilage from subchondral bone[l]. Regeneration of this critical interface would promote the functional integration of cartilage grafts[2]. We have designed a hydrogel-ceramic composite scaffold for interface formation, as the ceramic phase mimics the mineral of the calcified cartilage region and hydrogels such as agarose have been successfully utilized for cartilage tissue engineering[3,4].
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