PiezoCart

(A Zeolite/Hydroxyapatite Piezoelectric Scaffold for Cartilage Regeneration)
Articular cartilage injuries are difficult to heal due to the avascular and aneural nature of cartilage tissue. Mechanical stimulation plays a crucial role in chondrogenesis, but traditional scaffolds often fail to mimic the bioelectrical cues generated by dynamic joint movement. Piezoelectric materials, which generate electric charges under mechanical stress, offer a smart and non-invasive solution to activate cellular pathways involved in cartilage repair. In this study, a piezoelectric scaffold composed of Zeolite and Hydroxyapatite (HA), termed PiezoCart, is developed to support cartilage regeneration. It utilizes human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and provides electrical stimulation in response to natural joint motion, thereby promoting chondrogenic differentiation and tissue repair.

Contact

Dr. Baghban Eslaminejad

Professor of Stem Cell Engineering

PiezoCart Composition and Characteristics

Scaffold: Zeolite / Hydroxyapatite (HA)

Drug/Growth Factor: None

Cells: Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs)

Key Features:
• Piezoelectric scaffold generates electrical signals under mechanical load
• Supports cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation
• Mimics natural electro-mechanical microenvironment of cartilage
• Biocompatible and osteo-conductive structure from HA
• Porous architecture for nutrient diffusion and waste removal

Figure 1

Mechanism of Action

Mechanical loading (e.g., walking) induces electrical polarization in the scaffold

Generated bioelectric signals stimulate hMSC chondrogenesis

Promotes extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, especially type II collagen and proteoglycans

Facilitates integration with native cartilage and subchondral bone

 

Conclusion
PiezoCart represents a next-generation cartilage scaffold that leverages mechanically induced electrical stimulation to enhance the chondrogenic potential of hMSCs. By combining the structural support of hydroxyapatite and the piezoelectric response of zeolite, this platform offers a promising drug-free and non-invasive strategy for treating cartilage defects, with strong potential for translation into clinical orthopedic therapies.