The present application discloses that incorporation of dermatan sulfate and/or HA in composite scaffolds of certain polymers gives rise to a chondrogenic effect on chondrocytes resulting in formation of cartilage that resembles the natural ECM. This effect with dermatan sulfate as the primary additive has not previously been seen. The composites are formed by incorporation of dermatan sulfate finely dispersed particles optionally nanoparticles or as molecular dissolutions in a polymer matrix with no bonding between the DS and the matrix, providing the DS to the chondrocytes in an accessible non-crosslinked form.
