Collagen scaffold meniscus implant integration in a canine model: a histological analysis.
In the situation of an irreparable meniscus tear, an implant comparable to a normal meniscus is an attractive option. Using a canine model, we assessed the early and late histologic response to a tissue engineered meniscal collagen scaffold (CS). All animals received bilateral arthrotomies, and all joints receiving the CS had an 80% resection of the meniscus. Animals were sacrificed at 3 and 6 weeks, and 12, 13, and 17 months. The CS/tissue complex and host meniscal rim were sectioned for histologic examination with specific focus on the extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, cellular resorption of the scaffold, scaffold appearance, and CS/Host integration. Early histologic samples (3-6 weeks) revealed active angiogenesis and fibrin clots evolving into cellular granulation type tissue. At 12 months, a mature fibrochondrocytic matrix was depositing with gradations of dissolution and integration of the CS implant. Maturing CS/host integration was observed at 18 months. Active cellular resorption of the implant decreased over time. Four cases showed a mild non-specific chronic inflammation and one additional case showed inflammatory engulfment of the scaffold with giant cells at 3 weeks. No evidence of infection either clinically or histologically was observed at any time point. Overall, this histologic analysis demonstrated the active integration of a meniscal like cartilage into a tissue engineered biological scaffold in a canine model.
Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, 585 Schenectady Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203.
Robert
R
Hansen
Eli
E
Bryk
Vincent
V
Vigorita
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen; D004285:Dogs; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D003094:Collagen
collagen meniscus implant; meniscus replacement; tissue engineering