Lubrication Barriers Hydrogel Microspheres Improve Dynamic Tissue Repair via the Blockade of Inflammatory Communication

The lubrication barrier, constituted by hydrated structures, serves as an essential protective mechanism in dynamic tissues. Its absence renders interfacial tissues susceptible to mechanical stress and inflammation, thereby impeding the repair processes, as seen in osteoarthritis. This study presents a microsphere-based lubrication barrier that forms a stable, hydrated layer, effectively blocking inflammatory communication between the surrounding matrix and deep cartilage layers. Hydrogel microspheres (CL@Lipo-w@AHAMs) are developed using gas-shear microfluidics and photopolymerization, incorporating a collagen-targeting liposome, aldehyde-functionalized hyaluronic acid methacrylate, and methacrylated alginate. These liposomes stick to cartilage, creating a hydration barrier that prevents inflammation communication. Ex vivo tests on bovine cartilage reveal that microspheres reduce friction to 0.036 ± 0.002 and decrease inflammation-related friction damage by 70.64%. In vivo, these microspheres improve cartilage repair and reduce inflammation. Overall, this lubrication barrier system prevents inflammatory communication between injured tissues, presenting a promising strategy for dynamic tissue repair.