Ask AI: Evaluate one clinical solution to regenerate articular cartilage using research from the last two years.

The regeneration of articular cartilage remains a significant challenge in medicine due to the tissue's limited self-repair capability. However, impressive advancements have been made in the last two years. A prominent solution that has been evaluated and developed is by using a combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and tissue engineering. A 2020 review published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Translation found that MSCs are an ideal cell source for regeneration due to their potential for self-renewal and differentiation. They can be isolated from numerous tissue sources such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, and more. In tissue engineering, a framework (scaffold) is engineered where these MSCs are housed and encouraged to develop into cartilage cells, or chondrocytes. Bio-compatible materials such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, or synthetic polymers are used to craft these scaffolds. Bioactive molecules like growth factors are often included in this mix for enhancing the maturation and differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes and ensuring high-quality cartilage regeneration. To make it more efficient, research is also looking at the application of advanced bioprinting techniques to create a 3D structure replicating the unique zonal architecture of articular cartilage. So, the clinical solution of combining MSCs with tissue engineering and bioprinting represents a promising approach to regenerate articular cartilage by mimicking the natural developmental process of cartilage. However, this is still under research and yet to be applied widely in clinical practices due to challenges related to ensuring consistent cell differentiation, managing the mechanical properties of newly formed cartilage, and regulations around the use of stem cells. Thus, while it holds considerable promise, more research is needed to overcome these challenges before it can become a commonplace solution for cartilage regeneration in clinical settings.