title: Autologous transplantation of culture-born myofibroblasts into intact and injured rabbit ligaments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The myofibroblast, a contractile fibroblastic cell expressing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), has been reported to play a role in ligament healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transplanting culture-derived myofibroblasts in injured rabbit medial collateral ligaments (MCL) and in intact anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fibroblasts isolated from the iliotibial band were cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) for five days and analysed for α-SMA expression. In a concentration of TGF-β1 ≥ 10 ng/ml, the differentiation rate into myofibroblast was 90%. After labelling with PKH26, α-SMA -positive cells were transplanted in intact ACL and in injured MCL of ten rabbits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survival of PKH-26+ cells was seen in all intact and damaged ligaments one day after injection. The density of PKH-26+ cells had decreased at seven days postinjection in both ligaments. Double-positive PKH-26+/α-SMA+ cells were only observed in injured MCL at seven days postinjection. Moreover, we found that genetically modified fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts and can be transplanted into ligaments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate that culture-born myofibroblasts survive and maintain α-SMA expression up to one week after transplantation. This study provides the first insight into the feasibility of transplanted mechanically active cells for ligament reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Geneva University Hospitals & Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 4, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laumonier
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gabbiani
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoffmeyer
authors.forename: Marie-Luce
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bochaton-Piallat
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menetrey
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D002470:Cell Survival; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D011817:Rabbits; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000199:Actins