title: 3D-Printed Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffold Augmented With Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Total Meniscal Substitution: A 12- and 24-Week Animal Study in a Rabbit Model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Total meniscectomy leads to knee osteoarthritis in the long term. The poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold is a promising material for meniscal tissue regeneration, but cell-free scaffolds result in relatively poor tissue regeneration and lead to joint degeneration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A novel, 3-dimensional (3D)-printed PCL scaffold augmented with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) would offer benefits in meniscal regeneration and cartilage protection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled laboratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  PCL meniscal scaffolds were 3D printed and seeded with bone marrow-derived MSCs. Seventy-two New Zealand White rabbits were included and were divided into 4 groups: cell-seeded scaffold, cell-free scaffold, sham operation, and total meniscectomy alone. The regeneration of the implanted tissue and the degeneration of articular cartilage were assessed by gross and microscopic (histological and scanning electron microscope) analysis at 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively. The mechanical properties of implants were also evaluated (tensile and compressive testing).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the cell-free group, the cell-seeded scaffold showed notably better gross appearance, with a shiny white color and a smooth surface. Fibrochondrocytes with extracellular collagen type I, II, and III and proteoglycans were found in both seeded and cell-free scaffold implants at 12 and 24 weeks, while the results were significantly better for the cell-seeded group at week 24. Furthermore, the cell-seeded group presented notably lower cartilage degeneration in both femur and tibia compared with the cell-free or meniscectomy group. Both the tensile and compressive properties of the implants in the cell-seeded group were significantly increased compared with those of the cell-free group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seeding MSCs in the PCL scaffold increased its fibrocartilaginous tissue regeneration and mechanical strength, providing a functional replacement to protect articular cartilage from damage after total meniscectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests the potential of the novel 3D PCL scaffold augmented with MSCs as an alternative meniscal substitution, although this approach requires further improvement before being used in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zheng-Zheng
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.|Department of Joint Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shao-Jie
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ji-Ying
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Clinical Translational R&D Center of 3D Printing Technology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wen-Bo
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ai-Bing
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yan-Song
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jian-Xun
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xue-Si
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Injuries, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jia-Kuo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation; D011817:Rabbits; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone
keywords: knee; meniscus; stem cell therapy; tissue engineering