Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the use of a novel hyaluronic acid/polycaprolactonematerial formeniscal tissue engineering and to evaluate the tissue regeneration after the augmentation of theimplant with expanded autologous chondrocytes. Two different surgical implantation techniques in a sheepmodel were evaluated. Methods: Twenty-four skeletally mature sheep were treated with total medial meniscusreplacements, while two meniscectomies served as empty controls. The animals were divided into twogroups: cell-free scaffold and scaffold seeded with autologous chondrocytes. Two different surgical techniqueswere compared: in 12 animals, the implantwas sutured to the capsule and to themeniscal ligament; inthe other 12 animals, also a transtibial fixation of the horns was used. The animals were euthanized after 4months. The specimens were assessed by gross inspection and histology. Results: All implants showed excellentcapsular ingrowth at the periphery.Macroscopically, no difference was observed between cell-seededand cell-free groups. Better implant appearance and integrity was observed in the group without transosseoushorns fixation. Using the latter implantation technique, lower joint degeneration was observed in thecell-seeded group with respect to cell-free implants. The histological analysis indicated cellular infiltrationand vascularization throughout the implanted constructs. Cartilaginous tissue formation was significantlymore frequent in the cell-seeded constructs. Conclusion: The current study supports the potential of a novelHYAFF/polycaprolactone scaffold for total meniscal substitution. Seeding of the scaffolds with autologouschondrocytes provides some benefit in the extent of fibrocartilaginous tissue repair.

Tissue engineering for total meniscal substitution. Animal study in sheep model

KON ELIZAVETA;MARCACCI MAURILIO;
2008-01-01

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the use of a novel hyaluronic acid/polycaprolactonematerial formeniscal tissue engineering and to evaluate the tissue regeneration after the augmentation of theimplant with expanded autologous chondrocytes. Two different surgical implantation techniques in a sheepmodel were evaluated. Methods: Twenty-four skeletally mature sheep were treated with total medial meniscusreplacements, while two meniscectomies served as empty controls. The animals were divided into twogroups: cell-free scaffold and scaffold seeded with autologous chondrocytes. Two different surgical techniqueswere compared: in 12 animals, the implantwas sutured to the capsule and to themeniscal ligament; inthe other 12 animals, also a transtibial fixation of the horns was used. The animals were euthanized after 4months. The specimens were assessed by gross inspection and histology. Results: All implants showed excellentcapsular ingrowth at the periphery.Macroscopically, no difference was observed between cell-seededand cell-free groups. Better implant appearance and integrity was observed in the group without transosseoushorns fixation. Using the latter implantation technique, lower joint degeneration was observed in thecell-seeded group with respect to cell-free implants. The histological analysis indicated cellular infiltrationand vascularization throughout the implanted constructs. Cartilaginous tissue formation was significantlymore frequent in the cell-seeded constructs. Conclusion: The current study supports the potential of a novelHYAFF/polycaprolactone scaffold for total meniscal substitution. Seeding of the scaffolds with autologouschondrocytes provides some benefit in the extent of fibrocartilaginous tissue repair.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11699/9556
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