Potential of graphene oxide in the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent condition worldwide without a disease-modifying drug or cure. It is the cause of significant patient pain and disability, and there is a huge associated personal, healthcare and societal economic burden.

Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have shown regenerative osteogenic potential. There is emerging evidence that GO within hydrogels can act as a growth factor delivery carrier able to enhance chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. GO therefore represents a promising strategy for musculoskeletal regeneration. The osteochondral unit that fails in articular cartilage injury and osteoarthritis may have enhanced repair potential using GO. However, the osteochondral unit failure happens within the biological milieu of the whole joint (for example, the knee). The other tissues affected in knee osteoarthritis, or indeed with early injury: meniscus, ligament, synovium and synovial fluid are not yet researched with regard to their regenerative potential with GO.

Main questions to be answered
How does GO interact with the different tissues of the osteoarthritic knee?
Is the regenerative potential for musculoskeletal tissues facilitated by GO