Poly (ε-Caprolactone) - Based Biomaterials for Meniscus Tissue Engineering

This review focuses on the polycaprolactone (PCL)-based meniscus biomaterials involved in meniscal repair and regeneration. Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a well-known polymer that has attracted enormous attention from both the research community and industry due to its biocompatibility, structural stability, and capacity to form blends with many other polymers. The progress made in meniscal tissue engineering and PCL-based biomaterials allowed several meniscal substitutes with extracellular matrix materials (ECM), natural materials, synthetic or hybrids. The present manuscript aims to review the scientific evidence to understand the current state of research in this particular field and to identify the trends at the PCL-based meniscal scaffolds. The literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, ACM Digital Library and Medline databases was undertaken to identify all studies that reported PCL based meniscal scaffold regeneration. Twenty nine were included in the present analysis 20 cases of meniscal scaffolds were used with cells to stimulate tissue regeneration further. The majority of the trials showed that PCL-based hybrid biocomposites and bio-engineered scaffolds on enhancing cell attachment and proliferation, conferring chondroprotective properties. Finally, we review the latest and promising advances associated, bioprinted and electrospun meniscal implants and the drive toward more functional boinks, hybrid, and natural biocomposites with the overall goal of achieving a patient-specific meniscal implant.