Next generation nanocomposite biomaterials for ligament repair and regeneration

A substantial amount of funds are devoted to developing new biomaterials for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) each year. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in ACL tissue engineering. Successful tissue engineering approaches should be able to replicate native ACLs, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of biomaterials and biological responses. Various natural and synthetic biomaterials and their combinations have been investigated to create innovative scaffold systems for ACL regeneration. The next generation biomaterials should have a proper balance between mechanical properties and cell response. Recent advancements in ACL biomaterials, while promising, still face certain limitations that hinder their utilization in the human body. This review aims to explore recent biomaterials and their characteristics in the context of ACL tissue engineering. Starting with an overview of native ACL properties, we delve into different types of biomaterials, including natural, synthetic, and nanoparticles utilized in ACL tissue engineering. For each biomaterial, we discuss the biological response and highlight the challenges and future directions in developing innovative biomaterials for ACL repair and replacement scaffolds.