Mechanism study of an articular cartilage repair material and its forward‐looking test for space medicine

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Abstract While a novel tissue‐engineered scaffold (dLhCG) has demonstrated promising regenerative capabilities in terrestrial studies, the mechanisms underlying dLhCG‐mediated tissue regeneration remain poorly understood. The unique physiological challenges posed by prolonged space exploration to human articular cartilage necessitate the development of innovative regenerative solutions for space medicine. To address this need, dLhCG scaffolds were exposed to a 6‐month space environment aboard the China Tiangong Space Station, positioned both inside and outside the spacecraft, while control scaffolds were maintained on the ground. Our findings revealed that the regeneration process following dLhCG implantation progressed through four stages, during which dLhCG facilitated osteochondral regeneration by temporally modulating interactions with chondrocytes and osteoblasts, activating specific signaling pathways at distinct postoperative stages. Notably, although cosmic radiation increased protein denaturation and reduced the Young's modulus of the scaffold at the nanoscale, dLhCG maintained its macrostructural stability, preserved immunohistochemical properties, and retained the capacity to repair critical‐sized osteochondral defects in rats. These results highlight the resilience of dLhCG to cosmic conditions and underscore its potential as a viable material for cartilage repair in space medicine.