Electrospun tube reduces adhesion in rabbit Achilles tendon 12 weeks post-surgery without PAR-2 overexpression

Abstract

One great challenge in surgical tendon repair is the minimization of peritendinous adhesions. An electrospun tube can serve as a physical barrier around a conventionally sutured tendon. Six New Zealand White rabbits had one Achilles tendon fully transsected and sutured by a 4-strand suture. Another six rabbits had the same treatment, but with the additional electrospun DegraPol tube set around the sutured tendon. The adhesion formation to the surrounding tissue was investigated 12 weeks post-operation. Moreover, inflammation-related protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) protein expression was assessed. Finally, rabbit Achilles tenocyte cultures were exposed to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), which mimicks the tendon healing environment, where PAR-2 gene expression was assessed as well as immunofluorescent staining intensity for F-actin and α-tubulin, respectively. At 12 weeks post-operation, the partially degraded DegraPol tube exhibited significantly lower adhesion formation (− 20%). PAR-2 protein expression was similar for time points 3 and 6 weeks, but increased at 12 weeks post-operation. In vitro cell culture experiments showed a significantly higher PAR-2 gene expression on day 3 after exposure to PDGF-BB, but not on day 7. The cytoskeleton of the tenocytes changed upon PDGF-BB stimulation, with signs of reorganization, and significantly decreased F-actin intensity. An electrospun DegraPol tube significantly reduces adhesion up to twelve weeks post-operation. At this time point, the tube is partially degraded, and a slight PAR-2 increase was detected in the DP treated tendons, which might however arise from particles of degrading DegraPol that were stained dark brown. PAR-2 gene expression in rabbit tenocytes reveals sensitivity at around day 10 after injury.

Prevention strategies of postoperative adhesion in soft tissues by applying biomaterials: Based on the mechanisms of occurrence and development of adhesions

“…Electrospinning film exhibits superiority because of its special microporous structure and aspect ratio, good mechanical and degradation properties, easily functionalized performance, controllable porosity and pore size [ 170 , 171 ]. Nowadays, biodegradable synthetic polymers, such as poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polylactide (PLA), and etc.…”

In Vitro Assessment of Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on Novel Bioactive, Biodegradable Electrospun Fiber Meshes Intended to Support Tendon Rupture Repair

“…However, their half-lives exceed 3 months, with reports of fiber fusions and fissures for pure DP meshes at 12 weeks postoperation. 44 In our settings, the biodegradability of the implant materials therefore has a negligible effect on bacterial biofilm formation. As for the hysteresis (difference of advancing and receding dynamic WCA), it was assessed to be very high for all tested materials (Table 1), pointing toward a rough and highly heterogeneous surface that facilitates bacterial attachment.…”

Quantitative Assessment of Calf Muscle Volume, Strength, and Quality After Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair: A 1-Year Prospective Follow-up Study

“…8,16,51 Adhesion formation after Achilles tendon repair commonly occurs and affects tendon excursion. 5,6,25,48 Therefore, the formation of adhesion can be an aggravating factor involved in muscle atrophy, specifically for a monoarticular muscle such as the soleus because it is susceptible to immobilization. At the same time, the functional anatomy of the FHL muscle may be related to the cause of compensatory muscle activity.…”