Development of biological meniscus scaffold: Decellularization method and recellularization with meniscal cell population derived from mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Tissue engineering approaches which include a combination of cells and scaffold materials provide an alternative treatment for meniscus regeneration. Decellularization and recellularization techniques are potential treatment options for transplantation. Maintenance of the ultrastructure composition of the extracellular matrix and repopulation with cells are important factors in constructing a biological scaffold and eliminating immunological reactions. The aim of the study is to develop a method to obtain biological functional meniscus scaffolds for meniscus regeneration. For this purpose, meniscus tissue was decellularized by our modified method, a combination of physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods and then recellularized with a meniscal cell population composed of fibroblasts, chondrocytes and fibrochondrocytes that obtained from mesenchymal stem cells. Decellularized and recellularized meniscus scaffolds were analysed biochemically, biomechanically and histologically. Our results revealed that cellular components of the meniscus were successfully removed by preserving collagen and GAG structures without any significant loss in biomechanical properties. Recellularization results showed that the meniscal cells were localized in the empty lacuna on the decellularized meniscus, and also well distributed and proliferated consistently during the cell culture period (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a high amount of DNA, collagen, and GAG contents (p < 0.05) were obtained with the meniscal cell population in recellularized meniscus tissue. The study demonstrates that our decellularization and recellularization methods were effective to develop a biological functional meniscus scaffold and can mimic the meniscus tissue with structural and biochemical features. We predict that the obtained biological meniscus scaffolds may provide avoidance of adverse immune reactions and an appropriate microenvironment for allogeneic or xenogeneic recipients in the transplantation process. Therefore, as a promising candidate, the obtained biological meniscus scaffolds might be verified with a transplantation experiment.

3D printed gelatin/decellularized bone composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: Fabrication, characterization and cytocompatibility study

“…At this point, decellularization techniques are used to treat tissues by removing their native cellular components without disrupting their histoarchitecture. Thus, decellularized ECM (dECM) can be obtained that can be used in regenerative medicine [ [52] , [53] , [54] ]. The main benefit of dECM is preserving the physical features of the tissue retaining components of the natural cell environment to support cell growth during the recellularization process [ 54 , 55 ].…”

“…Thus, decellularized ECM (dECM) can be obtained that can be used in regenerative medicine [ [52] , [53] , [54] ]. The main benefit of dECM is preserving the physical features of the tissue retaining components of the natural cell environment to support cell growth during the recellularization process [ 54 , 55 ]. In the present study, bone tissues were decellularized by our new method composed of physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments.…”

Optimizing artificial meniscus by mechanical stimulation of the chondrocyte-laden acellular meniscus using ad hoc bioreactor

“…Orientation of the collagen fibers was preserved after decellularization of porcine meniscus ECM [ 12 , 29 ]. Normal load-bearing on the meniscus is an important factor in determining the orientation of collagen fibers [ 33 ], and the fiber orientation was enhanced under dynamic mechanical stimulation rather than static condition [ 50 ].…”

“…This type of scaffold displays good biocompatibility, biomechanical and regenerative properties and presents a promising approach to the functional reconstruction of the injured menisci [ 9 ]. Decellularized meniscus in ovine [ 10 ], porcine [ 11 ], and rabbit [ 12 ] showed proper porosity, fiber organization, and zonation. Besides, it induced chondrogenic differentiation in the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) [ 11 ].…”

From the Matrix to the Nucleus and Back: Mechanobiology in the Light of Health, Pathologies, and Regeneration of Oral Periodontal Tissues

“…A higher substrate porosity also favors the migratory phenotype, which is especially important in studying pathologies like OSCC [291,292]. Above, interactions of different cell types and the role of the immune system and vasculature are seldomly addressed in mechanobiological studies [293][294][295]. These obstacles must be considered when discussing the application of MT principles regarding the design of, e.g., innovative dental implants for periodontal regeneration [296].…”