title: Allograft integration in a rabbit transgenic model for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tissue engineering strategies include both cell-based and cell homing therapies. Ligamentous tissues are highly specialized and constitute vital components of the musculoskeletal system. Their damage causes significant morbidity and loss in function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to analyze tendinous graft integration, cell repopulation and ligamentization by using GFP+/- allografts in GFP+/- transgenic New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Graft implantation was designed to closely mimic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair surgery. Allografts were implanted in 8 NZW rabbits and assessed at 5 days, 3 weeks and 6 weeks through: (1) arthroCT imaging, (2) morphological analysis of the transplanted allograft, (3) histological analysis, (4) collagen type I immunochemistry, and (5) GFP cell tracking. Collagen remodeling was appreciated at 3 and 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Graft repopulation with host cells, chondrocyte-like cells at the tendon-bone interface and graft corticalization in the bone tunnels were noticed at 3 weeks. By contrast we noticed a central necrosis aspect in the allografts intra-articularly at 6 weeks with a cell migration towards the graft edge near the synovium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study has served to gain a better understanding of tendinous allograft bone integration, ligamentization and allograft repopulation. We believe that both cell-based therapies and cell homing therapies are beneficial in ligament tissue engineering. Future studies may elucidate whether cell repopulation occurs with pre-differentiated or progenitor cells. We believe that both cell-based therapies and cell homing therapies are beneficial in ligament tissue engineering.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level V (animal study).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de bioingénierie et bioimagerie ostéo-articulaire (B2OA), CNRS UMR 7052, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, 26, avenue du Dr-Arnold-Netter, 75571 Paris cedex 12, France; The MAMUTH Hospital-University Department for Innovative Therapies in Musculoskeletal Diseases, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, 26, avenue du Docteur-Arnold-Netter, 75571 Paris cedex 12, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bachy
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de bioingénierie et bioimagerie ostéo-articulaire (B2OA), CNRS UMR 7052, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France; The Mount Sinai Hospital One Gustave L.-Levy Place, New York, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sherifi
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de bioingénierie et bioimagerie ostéo-articulaire (B2OA), CNRS UMR 7052, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France; Service de chirurgie orthopédique et réparatrice, hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zadegan
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de bioingénierie et bioimagerie ostéo-articulaire (B2OA), CNRS UMR 7052, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Petite
authors.affiliation: Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, 26, avenue du Dr-Arnold-Netter, 75571 Paris cedex 12, France; The MAMUTH Hospital-University Department for Innovative Therapies in Musculoskeletal Diseases, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, 26, avenue du Docteur-Arnold-Netter, 75571 Paris cedex 12, France. Electronic address: raphael.vialle@trs.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vialle
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de bioingénierie et bioimagerie ostéo-articulaire (B2OA), CNRS UMR 7052, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France; Service de chirurgie orthopédique et réparatrice, hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, université Denis-Diderot Paris VII, Paris, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hannouche
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement; D058948:Cell Tracking; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009336:Necrosis; D011817:Rabbits; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I
keywords: Animal study; Anterior cruciate ligament; Ligamentization; Tendinous allograft bone integration