title: Ligament tissue engineering: an evolutionary materials science approach.
abstract: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is important for knee stabilization. Unfortunately, it is also the most commonly injured intra-articular ligament. Due to poor vascularization, the ACL has inferior healing capability and is usually replaced after significant damage has occurred. Currently available replacements have a host of limitations, this has prompted the search for tissue-engineered solutions for ACL repair. Presently investigated scaffolds range from twisted fiber architectures composed of silk fibers to complex three-dimensional braided structures composed of poly (L-lactic acid) fibers. The purpose of these tissue-engineered constructs is to apply approaches such as the use of porous scaffolds, use of cells, and the application of growth factors to promote ligament tissue regeneration while providing mechanical properties similar to natural ligament.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA. ctl3f@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Cato T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Laurencin
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry; D006133:Growth Substances; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007249:Inflammation; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011091:Polyesters; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005353:Fibronectins; D006133:Growth Substances; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)