Cell-based tissue engineering augments tendon-to-bone healing in a rat supraspinatus model.
Rotator cuff pathology causes substantial pain/disability and health care costs. Cell-based tissue engineering offers promise for improved outcomes in tendon to bone healing. Cells from the tendon-bone interface were used here to amplify surgical defect healing in a rat model. Cells from tendon-to-bone interface of the rotator cuff were seeded in sponges and implanted into critical rotator cuff defects: Group I, control; II, surgical defect only; III, suture-repaired defect; IV, surgical defect, repair with sponge only; V, surgical defect, repair with sponge with cells. Three, 6-, and 12-week results were assessed for histologic features. At 3 weeks, histologic indices in Group V were significantly increased versus other treatment groups. Group V (12 weeks) showed significantly improved collagen organization versus other treatment groups; there was no difference in collagen organization in Group I versus V. In summary, increased cellularity, inflammation, vascularity, and collagen organization were present at 3 weeks; increased collagen organization at 12 weeks in Group V provides evidence for improved healing with cells. Data further support the utility of tendon-bone interface cells in rotator cuff healing.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Research Biology, Cannon Research, Room 304, Carolinas Medical Center, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232, USA.
Bryan J
BJ
Loeffler
Brian P
BP
Scannell
Richard D
RD
Peindl
Patrick
P
Connor
Daniel E
DE
Davis
Gretchen L
GL
Hoelscher
H James
HJ
Norton
Edward N
EN
Hanley
Helen E
HE
Gruber
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006811:Humerus / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D019737:Transplants; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D003094:Collagen