1. A Cell-free Biodegradable Synthetic Artificial Ligament for the Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament in a Rat Model
- Author
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Ryosuke Kuroda, Naomasa Fukase, Yohei Kawakami, James H. Cummins, Johnny Huard, Yoichi Murata, Tomoyuki Matsumoto, Patrick Quinn, William R. Wagner, Kazuhiro Nonaka, Antonio D’ Amore, Freddie H. Fu, Samuel K. Luketich, Masahiro Kurosaka, Koji Takayama, and Kunj G. Patel
- Subjects
Anterior cruciate ligament ,0206 medical engineering ,Rat model ,Biomedical Engineering ,02 engineering and technology ,Cell free ,Transplantation, Autologous ,Biochemistry ,Tendons ,Biomaterials ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,In vivo ,medicine ,Animals ,Anterior Cruciate Ligament ,Molecular Biology ,Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ,Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ,X-Ray Microtomography ,General Medicine ,musculoskeletal system ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,medicine.disease ,020601 biomedical engineering ,Rats ,Tendon ,Cellular infiltration ,surgical procedures, operative ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Polycaprolactone ,Ligament ,0210 nano-technology ,Biotechnology ,Biomedical engineering - Abstract
Traditional Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed using an allograft or autograft and possesses limitations such as donor site morbidity, decreased range of motion, and potential infection. However, a biodegradable synthetic graft could greatly assist in the prevention of such restrictions after ACL reconstruction. In this study, artificial grafts were generated using "wet" and "dry" electrospinning processes with a biodegradable elastomer, poly (ester urethane) urea (PEUU), and were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in a rat model. Four groups were established: (1) Wet PEUU artificial ligament, (2) Dry PEUU artificial ligament, (3) Dry polycaprolactone artificial ligament (PCL), and (4) autologous flexor digitorum longus tendon graft. Eight weeks after surgery, the in vivo tensile strength of wet PEUU ligaments had significantly increased compared to the other synthetic ligaments. These results aligned with increased infiltration of host cells and decreased inflammation within the wet PEUU grafts. In contrast, very little cellular infiltration was observed in PCL and dry PEUU grafts. Micro-computed tomography analysis performed at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively revealed significantly smaller bone tunnels in the tendon autograft and wet PEUU groups. The Wet PEUU grafts served as an adequate functioning material and allowed for the creation of tissues that closely resembled the ACL.
- Published
- 2021