title: Are applied growth factors able to mimic the positive effects of mesenchymal stem cells on the regeneration of meniscus in the avascular zone?
abstract: Meniscal lesions in the avascular zone are still a problem in traumatology. Tissue Engineering approaches with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed successful regeneration of meniscal defects in the avascular zone. However, in daily clinical practice, a single stage regenerative treatment would be preferable for meniscus injuries. In particular, clinically applicable bioactive substances or isolated growth factors like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) are in the focus of interest. In this study, the effects of PRP and BMP7 on the regeneration of avascular meniscal defects were evaluated. In vitro analysis showed that PRP secretes multiple growth factors over a period of 8 days. BMP7 enhances the collagen II deposition in an aggregate culture model of MSCs. However applied to meniscal defects PRP or BMP7 in combination with a hyaluronan collagen composite matrix failed to significantly improve meniscus healing in the avascular zone in a rabbit model after 3 months. Further information of the repair mechanism at the defect site is needed to develop special release systems or carriers for the appropriate application of growth factors to support biological augmentation of meniscus regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zellner
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany ; Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian Dirk
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Taeger
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaffer
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: J Camilo
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Roldan
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loibl
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krutsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michaela K I
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kujat
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nerlich
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz Josef Strauß Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany ; Sporthopaedicum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angele
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C525819:BMP7 protein, human; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D004343:Drug Implants; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins