Matrix quality, outgrowth, and integration of minced cartilage on HYAFF scaffolds: Influence of mincing method, PRP, and HA stimulation compared to alginate hydrogel control

Cartilage defects pose a significant clinical challenge, and tissue engineering with minced cartilage offers a promising single-stage repair approach whose effectiveness is significantly influenced by the cartilage mincing method, the scaffold material, and bioactive supplements. This study aims to develop an optimized in vitro protocol for cartilage regeneration on biocompatible HYAFF scaffolds by comparing the influence of two mincing methods (scalpel vs. shaver) and the additive effect of 5% (v/v) platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and 1 mg/mL exogenous hyaluronic acid (HA), with an alginate hydrogel serving as an inert control. The constructs are cultured for 28 days and comprehensively analyzed on days 14 and 28. It is expected that both the fragmentation method and the bioactive supplements will significantly influence chondrogenesis on the HYAFF scaffolds and lead to superior cartilage matrix production, which should contribute to the identification of the most promising treatment strategy by means of a “quality control score.”