Anatomical meniscus construct with zone specific biochemical composition and structural organization

Abstract

A PCL/hydrogel construct that would mimic the structural organization, biochemistry and anatomy of meniscus was engineered. The compressive (380 ± 40 kPa) and tensile modulus (18.2 ± 0.9 MPa) of the PCL scaffolds were increased significantly when constructs were printed with a shifted design and circumferential strands mimicking the collagen organization in native tissue (p<0.05). Gene expression of human fibrochondrocytes in agarose (Ag), gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), and GelMA-Ag hydrogels was significantly higher than that of cells on the PCL scaffolds after a 21-day culture. GelMA exhibited the highest level of collagen type I (COL1A2) mRNA expression, while GelMA-Ag exhibited the highest level of aggrecan (AGG) expression (p<0.001, compared to PCL). GelMA and GelMA-Ag exhibited a high level of collagen type II (COL2A1) expression (p<0.05, compared to PCL). Anatomical scaffolds with circumferential PCL strands were impregnated with cell-loaded GelMA in the periphery and GelMA-Ag in the inner region. GelMA and GelMA-Ag hydrogels enhanced the production of COL 1 and COL 2 proteins after a 6-week culture (p<0.05). COL 1 expression increased gradually towards the outer periphery, while COL 2 expression decreased. We were thus able to engineer an anatomical meniscus with a cartilage-like inner region and fibrocartilage-like outer region.

A Novel Nanofiber Hydrogel Loaded with Platelet-Rich Plasma Promotes Wound Healing Through Enhancing the Survival of Fibroblasts

“…Studies have proposed that the platelet concentration most conducive to tissue healing is 1.5–3.0×10 6 /μL, which is about 3-fold to 8-fold higher than the physiological concentration of platelets in whole blood [16]. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that the immediate use of platelets after the inflammatory phase has the greatest effects on tissue healing [17]. It is suggested that the early use of PRP without delay is more important than the number of platelets it contains [18].…”

Engineering Anisotropic Meniscus: Zonal Functionality and Spatiotemporal Drug Delivery

“…3D fabrication technologies for zonal fibrocartilage TE currently under investigation rely on (i) mimicry of the arrangement of collagen fibers and bundles 25,59,60,[82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90] , (ii) zonedependent biomaterial composition [91][92][93] and (iii) different degree of porosity 91,92,94 .…”

Advancement in the Biomedical Applications of the (Nano)gel Structures Based on Particular Polysaccharides

“…It is well known the use of hydrogels for producing tissue engineering scaffolds for cartilaginous tissues, because of their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and structural similarity to the ECM . The investigated hydrogel blends show improved performance over individual polymers and as result their range of applications has been extended.…”

“…Bilgen's group reported new materials for potential regeneration of meniscus which were tested under dynamic compression. They evaluated a series of materials like fibro‐chondrocyte‐seeded agarose, methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) and GelMA‐MeHA blend hydrogels, and 3D printed poly(caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds . The investigation showed higher levels of ECM components produced by the cell‐carrying hydrogels after 35‐day incubation than the 3D printed PCL, proving their higher potential for meniscal regeneration and the capacity of the fibro‐chondrocytes to be directed to proliferate or produce cartilaginous or fibro‐cartilaginous ECM.…”

“…Macro‐ and microarchitecture of the porcine fibrochondrocyte‐seeded agarose, GelMA, MeHA and GelMA‐MeHA blend hydrogels, and 3D printed PCL scaffolds and cell viability on them, where a) represents changes in shapes of the constructs over 35 days of culture; b) is the microarchitecture of the cell‐free constructs after 35 days of culture; c) refers to the relative DNA contents (%), and d) live/dead assay results on Day 35. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2018, Elsevier.…”