title: The effect of polystyrene sodium sulfonate grafting on polyethylene terephthalate artificial ligaments on in vitro mineralisation and in vivo bone tissue integration.
abstract: This study investigates the impact of polystyrene sodium sulfonate (PolyNaSS) grafting onto the osseo-integration of a polyethylene terephthalate artificial ligament (Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System, LARS™) used for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). The performance of grafted and non-grafted ligaments was assessed in vitro by culturing human osteoblasts under osteogenic induction and this demonstrated that the surface modification was capable of up-regulating the secretion of ALP and induced higher level of mineralisation as measured 6 weeks post-seeding by Micro-Computed Tomography. Grafted and non-grafted LARS™ were subsequently implanted in an ovine model for ACL reconstruction and the ligament-to-bone interface was evaluated by histology and biomechanical testings 3 and 12 months post-implantation. The grafted ligaments exhibited more frequent direct ligament-to-bone contact and bone formation in the core of the ligament at the later time point than the non-grafted specimens, the grafting also significantly reduced the fibrous encapsulation of the ligament 12 months post-implantation. However, this improved osseo-integration was not translated into a significant increase in the biomechanical pull-out loads. These results provide evidences that PolyNaSS grafting improved the osseo-integration of the artificial ligament within the bone tunnels. This might positively influence the outcome of the surgical reconstructions, as higher ligament stability is believed to limit micro-movement and therefore permits earlier and enhanced healing.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4278, Australia. cedryck.vaquette@qut.edu.au
authors.forename: Cédryck
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaquette
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viateau
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guérard
authors.forename: Fani
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anagnostou
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manassero
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Castner
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Migonney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011137:Polystyrenes; C003321:polystyrene sulfonic acid