Cartilage-binding coacervate with therapeutic payload delivery and biomimetic lubrication alleviates osteoarthritis by reducing joint friction and inflammation.

Biomimetic polyzwitterionic coacervates (pZCOs) form a stable ultralow-friction lubrication layer on cartilage and, in rat and mini-pig osteoarthritis, reduce cartilage degradation and inflammation.

• Why it matters: Osteoarthritis degrades the natural lipid/hyaluronic acid/lubricin lubrication layer, increasing wear and joint dysfunction, so lubrication-based early intervention is needed.
• What they did: The study engineered pZCOs that bind fibronectin, create an ultralow-friction layer, and enable sustained anti-inflammatory drug release plus MSC viability and anti-inflammatory paracrine secretion.
• The result: In rat and mini-pig osteoarthritis, intra-articular drug/MSC-laden pZCOs suppress inflammation and promote cartilage integrity, outperforming clinical hyaluronic acid lubricants in lubrication performance, in vivo retention, and therapeutic efficacy.

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