Generation and characterization of a human acellular meniscus scaffold for tissue engineering

Abstract

Meniscus tears are frequent indications for arthroscopic evaluation which can result in partial or total meniscectomy. Allografts or synthetic meniscus scaffolds have been used with varying success to prevent early degenerative joint disease in these cases. Problems related to reduced initial and long-term stability, as well as immunological reactions prevent widespread clinical use so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a new construct for tissue engineering of the human meniscus based on an acellular meniscus allograft. Human menisci (n = 16) were collected and acellularized using the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate as the main ingredient or left untreated as control group. These acellularized menisci were characterized biomechanically using a repetitive ball indentation test (Stiffness N/mm, residual force N, relative compression force N) and by histological (hematoxylin-eosin, phase-contrast) as well as immunohistochemical (collagen I, II, VI) investigation. The processed menisci histologically appeared cell-free and had biomechanical properties similar to the intact meniscus samples (p > 0.05). The collagen fiber arrangement was not altered, according to phase-contrast microscopy and immunohistochemical labeling. The removal of the immunogenic cell components combined with the preservation of the mechanically relevant parts of the extracellular matrix could make these scaffolds ideal implants for future tissue engineering of the meniscus.

The use of sonication treatment to decellularize aortic tissues for preparation of bioscaffolds

“…This is because the flat indenter was able to provoke such shear stress and tensile reactions that can affect the results extensively. 17,18 A study performed by Ragaert et al 39 has subjected porcine aortic heart valve leaflets to uni-axial flexural indentation test to determine the rupture characteristics and functional stiffness parameter. In various literatures, mechanical properties were commonly determined from uni-axial tensile test which derived mechanical properties from stress-strain curve.…”

Development and Characterization of Acellular Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds from Porcine Menisci for Use in Cartilage Tissue Engineering

“…Sandmann et al 48 decellularized human meniscus using SDS, ethanol, water, and PBS for 17 days. To shorten the processing time, menisci were processed with a multi-step decellularization by Stabile et al 37 Each dissected meniscus was placed in DNase/RNase-free water, EDTA, trypsin, FBS, Triton X-100, and peracetic acid.…”

An injectable extracellular matrix derived hydrogel for meniscus repair and regeneration

“…Thus, it is likely that the complex ECM scaffold 78 derived from the meniscus can enhance meniscus regeneration. 79 The decellularized meniscal materials have been produced as 80 cell-free scaffolds for meniscus repair and regeneration [19,20]. 81 These scaffolds also were combined with primary cells, such as 82 human primary chondrocytes, murine fibroblasts and porcine 83 meniscal cells, and stem cells such as rat mesenchymal stromal 84 cells (rMSC) to promote meniscus regeneration [21][22][23][24][25] fill an irregularly shaped defect, and provide a stable microenviron-98 ment for cell growth to facilitate new tissue formation [27].…”