title: In vivo bone tunnel evaluation of nanoparticle-grafts using an ACL reconstruction rabbit model.
abstract: Acellular human gracilis tendons conjugated with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HAp) were used as a graft in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction rabbit model. The ACLs of 11 New Zealand rabbits were reconstructed using grafts conjugated without nanoparticles, with AuNP only, and with both AuNP and nano-HAp. Semi-quantitative histological scoring of bone tunnel portion of grafts was performed after 14 weeks. Bone tunnels were scored for graft degeneration, graft remodeling, percentage of new host fibrous connective, collateral connection, head-to-head connection, graft collagen fiber organization, new host fibrous connective tissue organization, and graft and interface vascularity. All grafts were intact at 14 weeks. Results of bone tunnel scoring indicate remodeling in all graft types with new organized host fibrous connective tissue, head-to-head connection to bone and mild inflammation associated with remodeling. Components of the 20 nm AuNP grafts have significantly more graft degeneration, more new host fibrous connective tissue, and more vascularity compared to crosslinked grafts. Comparison between femoral and tibial tunnel scores indicate more degeneration in femoral tunnels compared to tibial tunnels. Overall results indicated potentially enhanced remodeling from the use of 20 nm AuNP grafts. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1071-1082, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: Sheila A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: Ferris
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuroki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Audrain Medical Center, Mexico, Missouri, 65265.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D006046:Gold; D017886:Durapatite
keywords: ACL graft; biomaterials; decellularized tissue; gold nanoparticles; in vivo