The Review of Nanomaterials Inducing the Differentiation of Stem Cells into Chondrocyte Phenotypes in Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Cartilage, as a nanostructured tissue, because of its awfully poor capacity for inherent regeneration and complete hierarchical structure, is severely difficult to regenerate after damages. Tissue engineering methods have provided a great contribution for cartilage repair. Nanomaterials have special superiority in regulating stem cell behaviors due to their special mechanical and biological properties and biomimetic characteristics. Therefore, they have been given great attention in tissue regeneration. Nanomaterials are divided into organic and inorganic nanomaterials. They provide the microenvironment to support differentiation of stem cells. Nanomaterials inducing stem cells to differentiate into chondrocyte phenotypes would be a benefit for cartilage tissue regeneration, then promoting the development of cartilage tissue engineering. In this review, we summarized the important roles of nanomaterials in chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells.