title: The response of tenocytes to commercial scaffolds used for rotator cuff repair.
abstract: Surgical repairs of rotator cuff tears have high re-tear rates and many scaffolds have been developed to augment the repair. Understanding the interaction between patients' cells and scaffolds is important for improving scaffold performance and tendon healing. In this in vitro study, we investigated the response of patient-derived tenocytes to eight different scaffolds. Tested scaffolds included X-Repair, Poly-Tape, LARS Ligament, BioFiber (synthetic scaffolds), BioFiber-CM (biosynthetic scaffold), GraftJacket, Permacol, and Conexa (biological scaffolds). Cell attachment, proliferation, gene expression, and morphology were assessed. After one day, more cells attached to synthetic scaffolds with dense, fine and aligned fibres (X-Repair and Poly-Tape). Despite low initial cell attachment, the human dermal scaffold (GraftJacket) promoted the greatest proliferation of cells over 13 days. Expression of collagen types I and III were upregulated in cells grown on non-cross-linked porcine dermis (Conexa). Interestingly, the ratio of collagen I to collagen III mRNA was lower on all dermal scaffolds compared to synthetic and biosynthetic scaffolds. These findings demonstrate significant differences in the response of patient-derived tendon cells to scaffolds that are routinely used for rotator cuff surgery. Synthetic scaffolds promoted increased cell adhesion and a tendon-like cellular phenotype, while biological scaffolds promoted cell proliferation and expression of collagen genes. However, no single scaffold was superior. Our results may help understand the way that patients' cells interact with scaffolds and guide the development of new scaffolds in the future.
authors.affiliation: The Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.andrew.carr@ndorms.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Dakin
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Snelling
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yapp
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hakimi
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D012333:RNA, Messenger