Application of kartogenin for musculoskeletal regeneration

Abstract

Kartogenin (KGN) is a recently characterized small molecule that promotes the selective differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes, and thus, KGN stimulates cartilage regeneration. KGN also possess chondro-protective effect. Furthermore, because it is a highly stable small molecule, KGN can be stored and transported at room temperature. These obvious superiorities over peptide growth factors make KGN a desirable chondrogenic agent for cartilage regeneration. Since its discovery, KGN has drawn much attention as a new chondrogenic drug for intraarticular (IA) treatment. Although it was originally developed with a focus on OA, it has been used to treat other conditions and to promote disc and bone-tendon junction regeneration. Our group has also developed several formulations for IA delivery of KGN including KGN-conjugated chitosan nano/microparticles, thermo-responsive polymeric nanospheres based on chitosan oligosaccharide conjugated pluronic F127, and hyluronate hydrogels containing polyethylene glycol (PEG/KGN) micelles. This review was undertaken to summarize current research on the action mechanism of KGN and the various formulations described in the literature that induce musculoskeletal regeneration. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1141-1148, 2018.