pH-responsive Zn2+-coordinated gellan gum/γ-polyglutamic acid hydrogel microspheres as functional biomaterials for intra-articular delivery: physicochemical design, smart release, and chondroprotective performance in osteoarthritis
Findings establish PGG-Zn@Cur as a microenvironment-responsive intra-articular platform that maintains cartilage matrix homeostasis and alleviates PI3K-AKT-associated apoptosis-related responses, offering a promising strategy for disease-modifying OA therapy.