title: The past, present and future of ligament regenerative engineering.
abstract: Regenerative engineering has been defined as the convergence of Advanced Materials Sciences, Stem Cell Sciences, Physics, Developmental Biology and Clinical Translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction necessitates the regeneration of bone, ligament and their interface to achieve superior clinical results. In the past, the ACL has been repaired with the use of autologous and allogeneic grafts, which have their respective drawbacks. Currently, investigations on the use of biodegradable matrices to achieve knee stability and permit tissue regeneration are making promising advancements. In the future, utilizing regenerative biology cues to induce an endogenous regenerative response may aid the enhancement of clinical ACL reconstruction outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.|Raymond & Beverly Sackler Center for Biomedical, Biological, Physical & Engineering Sciences, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
authors.forename: Paulos Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Mengsteab
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.|Raymond & Beverly Sackler Center for Biomedical, Biological, Physical & Engineering Sciences, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.|Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Lakshmi S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.|Raymond & Beverly Sackler Center for Biomedical, Biological, Physical & Engineering Sciences, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.|Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.|Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.|Department of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
authors.forename: Cato T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Laurencin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000166:cytology*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing