Repair of meniscal defect using an induced myoblast-loaded polyglycolic acid mesh in a canine model

Abstract

Defects of the meniscus greatly alter knee function and predispose the joint to degenerative changes. The purpose of this study was to test a recently developed cell-scaffold combination for the repair of a critical-size defect in the canine medial meniscus. A bilateral, complete resection of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was performed in 18 Beagle canines. A PLGA scaffold was implanted into the defect of one knee of 6 canines and the contralateral defect was left untreated. Scaffolds loaded with autologous myoblasts and cultured in a chondrogenic medium for 14 days were implanted in a second series of 12 canines. Empty scaffolds were implanted in the contralateral knees. Menisci were harvested at 12 weeks. Untreated defects had a muted fibrous healing response. Defects treated with cell-free implants also showed predominantly fibrous tissue, whereas fibrocartilage was present in several scaffolds. The thickness of the repair tissue after treatment with cell-free scaffolds was significantly greater compared to the controls (p<0.05). Pre-cultured implants integrated with the host tissue, and 9 of 12 contained meniscus-like fibrocartilage when compared to 2 of the 12 controls (p<0.05). The thickness of the pre-cultured implant repair tissue was greater compared to the controls (p<0.05). This study demonstrates the repair of a critical size meniscal defect using a stem cell and scaffold-based tissue engineering approach.

Bio-Engineered Meniscus for Tissue Engineering

“…Cells migrated to the tears injury site while promoting bridging across the site [64] Myoblast High cell yield, rapid proliferation activity with similar biochemical compositions compared to control [66] Articular chondrocytes Cells proliferated and synthesized ECM production (collagen & gag) [68] High proliferation rates and the tissue generated had notable amount of GAG and collagen type II [66] Cells infiltrated rapidly and distributed evenly in vitro and in vivo at Day 14 [69] Chondrocytes able to synthesized meniscal tissue in an in vivo situation [69] Mature cells Fibrochondrocytes Cells survived and proliferated for over 28 days, demonstrating the feasibility of culturing cells within ECM scaffolds [70] The cells manages to self assemble and produced ECM matrix of collagen type I and proteoglycans [71] Fibroblasts Fibroblastic cell morphology attached and infiltrated into the surface of scaffolds [75] the meniscus regeneration through in vitro and in vivo. It was revealed that the tendon grafts with synovial MSCs succeeded to induce early phase of synovial coverage at the defect site and had better integration with the meniscus defect that promote meniscus regeneration compared to control group [61].…”

Novel Approaches in Meniscal Repair Utilizing Mesenchymal Stem Cells, New Generation Bioscaffolds and Biological Adhesives as Cell Delivery Vehicles

“…Myoblast loaded PLGA scaffolds have been evaluated for the repair of inner meniscal defects [172]. A derivatised HA, HYADD4 ® hydrogel cell delivery system has been used for the repair of radial-longitudinal tears in a randomised controlled study [173].…”

Engenharia no Século XXI - Volume 4

“…Os danos meniscais fazem parte das lesões mais comuns no joelho (24), frequentemente ocorrem devido a impactos durante a prática esportiva ou resultam da degeneração da articulação conforme o envelhecimento (1,14,15,20,25,26). A maioria das fraturas localizam-se nas partes avasculares do menisco (região sem espontânea regeneração) ocasionando dores acentuadas e mudanças degenerativas no conjunto do joelho, como a osteoartrose (2,5,(13)(14)(15)(16)18,20,25,27).…”

“…As estratégias para correção das lesões são complexas. O procedimento ortopédicos mais empregado é a meniscectomia que consiste na remoção tecidual da área lesionada (5,14,15,19,21,22,24,(26)(27)(28)(29). Entretanto a diminuição do tecido conduz à perda das funções meniscais e consequentemente ao desenvolvimento da degeneração da cartilagem, perturbando a qualidade de vida dos pacientes (14,21,30).…”