Research hotspots and trends in the field of articular cartilage repair: a visualization analysis

doi:10.12307/2024.547

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Due to the very limited ability of articular cartilage to repair itself, articular cartilage defects caused by natural degeneration or trauma often cannot be repaired on their own, which triggers or aggravates osteoarthritis and even leads to severe disability. Therefore, the repair treatment after articular cartilage injury has become an urgent clinical problem.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the hot research topics and development trends in the field of articular cartilage repair using bibliometric analysis.
METHODS: Literature related to articular cartilage repair was searched from the Web of Science Core Collection from 2000 to 2023, and bibliometric and visualization analyses were carried out using VOSviewer, Citespeace and Bibliometrix R-package.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The annual publication volume in the field of articular cartilage repair shows an overall increasing trend, with the United States, China, and Germany being the top three countries in terms of publication volume, and the research institutions focus on universities and hospitals, with Harvard University, New York Hospital for Special Surgery, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University being the top three institutions in terms of publication volume. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE is the journal that publishes the most research literature in the field, and BIOMATERIALS is the journal with the highest number of citations in the field. “Injectable hydrogels for cartilage and bone tissue engineering” is the most cited document published in the last decade, and the author with the most publications is Madry Henning, an active author in the field. The active authors in this field have formed a number of stable research teams with each other, and the cooperation between different teams needs to be further strengthened. Intra-articular injections, high tibial osteotomies, hydrogels, drug delivery, inflammation, cartilage regeneration, and scaffolds are the current hot topics of research in this field, and the application of 3D printing technology, bio-inks, silk proteins, injectable hydrogels, and exosomes in articular cartilage repair may be the frontier of research in this field. Integrating various innovative technologies and methods for more effective, durable and functional cartilage tissue regeneration and repair, and facilitating the clinical translation of the relevant technologies and methods by conducting more high-quality clinical studies may be the future research trend in this field.

Key words: articular cartilage, repair, tissue engineering, Citespace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix R-package, bibliometrics, visual analysis

CLC Number:

Zhang Zhilong, Yang Shengping, Chen Tianxin, Zhu Yuqi. Research hotspots and trends in the field of articular cartilage repair: a visualization analysis[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2024, 28(27): 4306-4311.

Figures/Tables 15

LIU 等[16]对软骨组织工程新型可注射水凝胶的生物材料选择和制备方法进行综述，认为可注射水凝胶是软骨组织工程很有前景的支架材料。MAKRIS等[17]对目前临床广泛应用的关节软骨表面缺损修复技术进行综述，认为组织工程在将生物技术转化为临床产品方面发挥了突出作用。JO等[18]发现关节腔内注射自体脂肪间充质干细胞可通过促进关节软骨再生和修复以治疗膝骨关节炎。VISSER等[19]发现凝胶/支架复合材料的刚度和弹性接近关节软骨组织，3D打印微纤维增强水凝胶的方法为生产具有生物和机械相容性的组织结构提供了基础。HWANG等[20]发现关节软骨损伤程度与软骨细胞凋亡之间存在相关性，认为软骨细胞凋亡或将成为调节关节软骨退变的有效靶点。ZHANG等[21]发现关节腔内注射人类胚胎间充质干细胞来源外泌体能有效修复关节软骨缺损。YANG等[22]回顾了促进骨软骨/软骨组织重建的细胞-水凝胶结构设计的最新进展，认为水凝胶/无机颗粒/干细胞复合材料在骨软骨/软骨组织工程中具有更好的物理和生物性能。VEGA等[23]发现关节腔内注射异体间充质干细胞治疗膝骨关节炎具有良好的可行性和安全性，能显著缓解膝关节疼痛和改善软骨质量。ARMIENTO等[4]介绍了软骨修复的现有治疗方法，并且回顾了软骨组织工程中不同生物材料的研究现状，认为组织工程和生物材料科学为关节软骨修复和再生带来了彻底的变革，目前相关临床转化尚未完全成功，但不断发展的新一代技术有望取得良好的结果。KWON等[24]认为组织工程方法正在成为软骨和半月板修复手术的替代方法，一些基于细胞和组织工程的产品正在进行临床试验，为软骨和半月板修复开辟了新的途径。 2.7 关节软骨修复领域研究关键词分析关键词通常是文献内容的高度凝练总结，非常适合用于探索研究热点和趋势[25]。对关键词共现、聚类和突现情况进行分析可以更加全面地了解该领域研究的核心内容、热点和前沿，从而分析未来研究趋势，把握研究方向。 2.7.1 关键词共现使用VOSviewer中的thesaurus terms.txt对关键词进行同义词合并后共得到10 891个关键词，对关键词出现频次进行统计，并利用 VOSviewer 构建关键词共现网络。由出现频次前20的高频关键词(表6)和关键词共现网络(图6)可知：骨关节炎、关节软骨缺损为该研究领域的热点疾病；膝关节为该领域研究最多的关节；干细胞疗法、组织工程、自体软骨细胞植入、微骨折、支架、胶原蛋白是备受重视的治疗方法及治疗物质；体外实验是重要的研究方法；软骨形成和再生、细胞分化及相关基因表达备受关注。"

References

[1] CARBALLO CB, NAKAGAWA Y, SEKIYA I, et al. Basic Science of Articular Cartilage. Clin Sports Med. 2017;36(3):413-425.
[2] LUO Y, SINKEVICIUTE D, HE Y, et al. The minor collagens in articular cartilage. Protein Cell. 2017;8(8):560-572.
[3] HUBER M, TRATTNIG S, LINTNER F. Anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology of articular cartilage. Invest Radiol. 2000;35(10):573-580.
[4] ARMIENTO AR, STODDART MJ, ALINI M, et al. Biomaterials for articular cartilage tissue engineering: Learning from biology. Acta Biomater. 2018;65:1-20.
[5] AHMED TA, HINCKE MT. Strategies for articular cartilage lesion repair and functional restoration. Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2010;16(3):305-329.
[6] GUERMAZI A, NIU J, HAYASHI D, et al. Prevalence of abnormalities in knees detected by MRI in adults without knee osteoarthritis: population based observational study (Framingham Osteoarthritis Study). BMJ. 2012;345:e5339.
[7] DING C, CICUTTINI F, JONES G. Tibial subchondral bone size and knee cartilage defects: relevance to knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007;15(5):479-486.
[8] EVERHART JS, ABOULJOUD MM, FLANIGAN DC. Role of full-thickness cartilage defects in knee osteoarthritis (OA) incidence and progression: Data from the OA Initiative. J Orthop Res. 2019;37(1):77-83.
[9] BORRELLI J JR, OLSON SA, GODBOUT C, et al. Understanding Articular Cartilage Injury and Potential Treatments. J Orthop Trauma. 2019;33(6):S6-S12.
[10] MAKRIS EA, GOMOLL AH, MALIZOS KN, et al. Repair and tissue engineering techniques for articular cartilage. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2015;11(1):21-34.
[11] CHENG K, ZHOU Y, WU H. Bibliometric analysis of global research trends on monkeypox: Are we ready to face this challenge? J Med Virol. 2023;95(1):e27892.
[12] AHMAD P, SLOTS J. A bibliometric analysis of periodontology. Periodontol 2000. 2021; 85(1):237-240.
[13] ARIA M, CUCCURULLO C. Bibliometrix: an R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. J Informetrics. 2022;11(4):959-975.
[14] TAN Y, SONG Q. Research trends and hotspots on the links between caveolin and cancer: bibliometric and visual analysis from 2003 to 2022. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1237456.
[15] 孙宇康,宋丽娟,温春丽,等.基于Web of Science近十年干细胞治疗心肌梗死的可视化分析[J].中国组织工程研究,2024,28(7):1143-1148.
[16] LIU M, ZENG X, Ma C, et al. Injectable hydrogels for cartilage and bone tissue engineering. Bone Res. 2017;5:17014.
[17] MAKRIS EA, GOMOLL AH, MALIZOS KN, et al. Repair and tissue engineering techniques for articular cartilage. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2015;11(1):21-34.
[18] JO CH, LEE YG, SHIN WH, et al. Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a proof-of-concept clinical trial. Stem Cells. 2014;32(5):1254-1266.
[19] VISSER J, MELCHELS FP, JEON JE, et al. Reinforcement of hydrogels using three-dimensionally printed microfibres. Nat Commun. 2015;6:6933.
[20] HWANG HS, KIM HA. Chondrocyte Apoptosis in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(11):26035-26054.
[21] ZHANG S, CHU WC, LAI RC, et al. Exosomes derived from human embryonic mesenchymal stem cells promote osteochondral regeneration. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2016;24(12):2135-2140.
[22] YANG J, ZHANG YS, YUE K, et al. Cell-laden hydrogels for osteochondral and cartilage tissue engineering. Acta Biomater. 2017;57:1-25.
[23] VEGA A, MARTÍN-FERRERO MA, DEL CANTO F, et al. Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis With Allogeneic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Transplantation. 2015;99(8):1681-1690.
[24] KWON H, BROWN WE, LEE CA, et al. Surgical and tissue engineering strategies for articular cartilage and meniscus repair. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019;15(9):550-570.
[25] WANG S, ZHANG L, JIN Z, et al. Visualizing temporal dynamics and research trends of macrophage-related diabetes studies between 2000 and 2022: a bibliometric analysis. Front Immunol. 2023;14:1194738.
[26] 洪靖,卢从飞,黄晨宾,等.材料生物力学研究热点与态势的可视化分析[J].中国组织工程研究,2024,28(15):2358-2363.
[27] XUE S, RUAN G, LI J, et al. Bio-responsive and multi-modality imaging nanomedicine for osteoarthritis theranostics. Biomater Sci. 2023;11(15):5095-5107.
[28] LIU W, MADRY H, CUCCHIARINI M. Application of Alginate Hydrogels for Next-Generation Articular Cartilage Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(3):1147.
[29] STACHEL N, ORTH P, ZURAKOWSKI D, et al. Subchondral Drilling Independent of Drill Hole Number Improves Articular Cartilage Repair and Reduces Subchondral Bone Alterations Compared With Debridement in Adult Sheep. Am J Sports Med. 2022; 50(10):2669-2679.
[30] SHAMMA RN, SAYED RH, MADRY H, et al. Triblock Copolymer Bioinks in Hydrogel Three-Dimensional Printing for Regenerative Medicine: A Focus on Pluronic F127. Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2022;28(2):451-463.
[31] XU J, FAHMY-GARCIA S, WESDORP MA, et al. Effectiveness of BMP-2 and PDGF-BB Adsorption onto a Collagen/Collagen-Magnesium-Hydroxyapatite Scaffold in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Osteochondral Defect Bone Repair: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation. J Funct Biomater. 2023;14(2):111.
[32] VANNINI F, BERVEGLIERI L, BOFFA A, et al. Hyaluronic scaffold transplantation with bone marrow concentrate for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: durable results up to a minimum of 10 years. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2023;31(10):4551-4558.
[33] DI MARTINO A, PERDISA F, FILARDO G, et al. Cell-Free Biomimetic Osteochondral Scaffold for the Treatment of Knee Lesions: Clinical and Imaging Results at 10-Year Follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(10):2645-2650.
[34] ZAFFAGNINI S, ROMANDINI I, FILARDO G, et al. Meniscal allograft transplantation, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and valgus high tibial osteotomy for meniscal-deficient, unstable, and varus knees: surgical technique and clinical outcomes. Int Orthop. 2023;47(10):2523-2535.
[35] DI MARTINO A, SILVA S, ANDRIOLO L, et al. Osteochondral autograft transplantation versus autologous bone-cartilage paste grafting for the treatment of knee osteochondritis dissecans. Int Orthop. 2021;45(2):453-461.
[36] GONG J, FAIRLEY J, CICUTTINI FM, et al. Effect of Stem Cell Injections on Osteoarthritis-related Structural Outcomes: A Systematic Review. J Rheumatol. 2021;48(4):585-597.
[37] LEE SS, OH J, LEE DH. Change in Cartilage Status of Medial Compartment after Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy without Cartilage Regeneration Procedure: Second Look Arthroscopic Assessment. Biomedicines. 2023;11(6):1639.
[38] HAMAHASHI K, TOYODA E, ISHIHARA M, et al. Polydactyly-derived allogeneic chondrocyte cell-sheet transplantation with high tibial osteotomy as regenerative therapy for knee osteoarthritis. NPJ Regen Med. 2022;7(1):71.
[39] WANG W, SHI Y, LIN G, et al. Advances in Mechanical Properties of Hydrogels for Cartilage Tissue Defect Repair. Macromol Biosci. 2023;23(7):e2200539.
[40] QIU F, FAN X, CHEN W, et al. Recent Progress in Hydrogel-Based Synthetic Cartilage: Focus on Lubrication and Load-Bearing Capacities. Gels. 2023;9(2):144.
[41] JONES IA, TOGASHI R, WILSON ML, et al. Intra-articular treatment options for knee osteoarthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019;15(2):77-90.
[42] LI X, DAI B, GUO J, et al. Nanoparticle-Cartilage Interaction: Pathology-Based Intra-articular Drug Delivery for Osteoarthritis Therapy. Nanomicro Lett. 2021;13(1):149.
[43] LOLLI A, SIVASUBRAMANIYAN K, VAINIERI ML, et al. Hydrogel-based delivery of antimiR-221 enhances cartilage regeneration by endogenous cells. J Control Release. 2019;309:220-230.
[44] HE Y, SUN M, WANG J, et al. Chondroitin sulfate microspheres anchored with drug-loaded liposomes play a dual antioxidant role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Acta Biomater. 2022;151:512-527.
[45] LI M, YIN H, YAN Z, et al. The immune microenvironment in cartilage injury and repair. Acta Biomater. 2022;140:23-42.
[46] TUAN RS, CHEN AF, KLATT BA. Cartilage regeneration. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013; 21(5):303-311.
[47] RAMZAN F, SALIM A, KHAN I. Osteochondral Tissue Engineering Dilemma: Scaffolding Trends in Regenerative Medicine. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2023;19(6):1615-1634.
[48] 张兴宇,陈世益.关节软骨修复和再生:从细胞到仿生支架药物递送研究进展[J].中国运动医学杂志,2021,40(1):67-72.