Articular cartilage injury is a common clinical condition caused by trauma, tumors, infection, and osteoarthritis. Due to the lack of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels in cartilage, its self-regenerative capacity is limited. Current treatments, such as conservative therapy and joint replacement, have limitations. Tissue engineering has emerged as a key focus in cartilage injury research, aiming to use cultured cells and suitable scaffolds to create functional tissues. This review discusses the latest advancements in seed cells, scaffolds, and cytokines, as well as the role of stimulatory factors, genetic engineering, biophysical stimulation, and bioreactors in cartilage regeneration. It also outlines signaling pathways involved in cartilage regeneration. The review provides insights for scholars to address the complex problem of cartilage regeneration and repair. Articular cartilage (AC) injury leads to progressive tissue degeneration, causing joint pain and functional impairment. AC is hyaline cartilage covering joint surfaces, with functions including load distribution, reducing stress, and providing a smooth interface. Unlike other tissues, AC has unique properties, including no blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatic vessels. Repairing AC remains a significant clinical challenge, and developing effective regenerative strategies is critical. Traditional treatments, including conservative therapy, physical therapy, and surgical intervention, have limitations in achieving long-term integrity. Tissue engineering combines biology, engineering, and materials science to promote tissue regeneration, provide personalized treatment, and reduce rejection reactions. The core technology involves scaffold materials to provide structural support and stimulate the body's self-healing capabilities or transplant cultured cells to form new tissues. Tissue engineering is the most promising field for addressing AC regeneration. The field of tissue engineering includes three key elements: seed cells, scaffold materials, and cytokines. Seed cells for cartilage tissue engineering can be chondrocytes or cells that can differentiate into chondrocytes. Scaffold materials provide structural support for cell attachment, migration, and tissue formation. Cytokines regulate important factors such as cell proliferation and differentiation. This review discusses the structure and function of cartilage, research advancements related to the three key elements, regenerative strategies for repairing AC, and future trends and challenges in the application of bioengineering techniques for treating AC. The review also discusses the role of seed cells, including autologous chondrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, and the role of scaffold materials, including natural and synthetic materials. The review also discusses the role of cytokines and growth factors in cartilage regeneration, including the transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The review also discusses the signaling pathways involved in cartilage regeneration and delivery systems for cytokines and growth factors. The review also discusses tissue engineering approaches forArticular cartilage injury is a common clinical condition caused by trauma, tumors, infection, and osteoarthritis. Due to the lack of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels in cartilage, its self-regenerative capacity is limited. Current treatments, such as conservative therapy and joint replacement, have limitations. Tissue engineering has emerged as a key focus in cartilage injury research, aiming to use cultured cells and suitable scaffolds to create functional tissues. This review discusses the latest advancements in seed cells, scaffolds, and cytokines, as well as the role of stimulatory factors, genetic engineering, biophysical stimulation, and bioreactors in cartilage regeneration. It also outlines signaling pathways involved in cartilage regeneration. The review provides insights for scholars to address the complex problem of cartilage regeneration and repair. Articular cartilage (AC) injury leads to progressive tissue degeneration, causing joint pain and functional impairment. AC is hyaline cartilage covering joint surfaces, with functions including load distribution, reducing stress, and providing a smooth interface. Unlike other tissues, AC has unique properties, including no blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatic vessels. Repairing AC remains a significant clinical challenge, and developing effective regenerative strategies is critical. Traditional treatments, including conservative therapy, physical therapy, and surgical intervention, have limitations in achieving long-term integrity. Tissue engineering combines biology, engineering, and materials science to promote tissue regeneration, provide personalized treatment, and reduce rejection reactions. The core technology involves scaffold materials to provide structural support and stimulate the body's self-healing capabilities or transplant cultured cells to form new tissues. Tissue engineering is the most promising field for addressing AC regeneration. The field of tissue engineering includes three key elements: seed cells, scaffold materials, and cytokines. Seed cells for cartilage tissue engineering can be chondrocytes or cells that can differentiate into chondrocytes. Scaffold materials provide structural support for cell attachment, migration, and tissue formation. Cytokines regulate important factors such as cell proliferation and differentiation. This review discusses the structure and function of cartilage, research advancements related to the three key elements, regenerative strategies for repairing AC, and future trends and challenges in the application of bioengineering techniques for treating AC. The review also discusses the role of seed cells, including autologous chondrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, and the role of scaffold materials, including natural and synthetic materials. The review also discusses the role of cytokines and growth factors in cartilage regeneration, including the transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The review also discusses the signaling pathways involved in cartilage regeneration and delivery systems for cytokines and growth factors. The review also discusses tissue engineering approaches for