title: Differential cross-linking and radio-protective effects of genipin on mature bovine and human patella tendons.
abstract: Gamma irradiation is a proven sterilization method, but is not widely used on allografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (e.g., patella tendon) due to radiation-induced decreases in mechanical strength. Addressing this drawback would improve the safety and supply of allografts to meet current and future demand. It was hypothesized that genipin-induced collagen cross-linking would increase the tensile modulus of patella tendon tissue such that 5 MRad gamma irradiation would not reduce the tissue mechanical strength below the original untreated values. Optimized genipin treatment increased the tensile modulus of bovine tendons by ~2.4-fold. After irradiation, genipin treated tissue did not significantly differ from native tissue, proving the hypothesis. Optimized genipin treatment of human tendons increased the tensile modulus by ~1.3-fold. After irradiation, both control and genipin-treated tissues possessed ~50-60% of their native tendon modulus, disproving the hypothesis. These results highlight possible age- and species- dependent effects of genipin cross-linking on tendon tissue. Cross-linking of human allografts may be beneficial only in younger donor tissues. Future research is warranted to better understand the mechanisms and applications of collagen cross-linking for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wanivenhaus
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Valarian D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Torzilli
authors.forename: Russell F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Suzanne A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Maher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039823:Iridoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D039823:Iridoids; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; C007834:genipin