Streamlined metal-based hydrogel facilitates stem cell differentiation, extracellular matrix homeostasis and cartilage repair in male rats

Dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis plays a role in the accelerated degradation of cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). Here the authors engineer an injectable hydrogel based on streamlined-zinc oxide (ZnO), which is responsive to matrix metallopeptidase (MMP), for the delivery of miR-17-5p and show it alleviates cartilage degeneration in a rat model of OA.