Expanded human meniscus-derived cells in 3-D polymer-hyaluronan scaffolds for meniscus repair.
Treatment options for lesions of the avascular region of the meniscus using regenerative medicine approaches based on resorbable scaffolds are rare. Recent approaches using scaffold-based techniques for tissue regeneration known from cartilage repair may be a promising treatment option for meniscal tears. The aim of the study was the investigation of meniscus matrix formation of in vitro expanded human meniscus-derived cells in a three-dimensional (3-D) bioresorbable polymer graft for meniscal repair approaches. Cultivation of the human meniscus cells was performed in a resorbable scaffold material made of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and hyaluronic acid, stabilized with fibrin glue. Cell viability and distribution of human meniscus cells in PGA-hyaluronan scaffolds were evaluated by fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide staining. Verification of typical meniscal extracellular matrix molecules like type I and type III collagen was performed histologically, immunohistochemically and by gene expression analysis. In results, 3-D scaffold-based meniscus cultures showed high cell viability over an observational period of 21 days in PGA-hyaluronan scaffolds. On the protein level, type I collagen and proteoglycans were evident. Gene expression analysis confirmed the re-expression of meniscus-specific markers in PGA-hyaluronan scaffolds. This study demonstrated that in vitro expanded human meniscus cells allow for formation of meniscal matrix components when cultured in 3-D PGA-hyaluronan scaffolds stabilized with fibrin. These results encourage scaffold-based approaches for the treatment of meniscal lesions.
TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Charitéplatz 1/Virchowweg 11, 10117 Berlin, Germany. undine.freymann@transtissue.com
U
U
Freymann
M
M
Endres
K
K
Neumann
H-J
HJ
Scholman
L
L
Morawietz
C
C
Kaps
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000423:Alcian Blue / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D000423:Alcian Blue