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VEGF receptor mRNA expression by ACL fibroblasts is associated with functional healing of the ACL

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Recent advances in the treatment of ACL ruptures employ platelet-rich plasma combined with collagen to modulate growth factor release from platelets to stimulate healing. Among the most notable of these growth factors is VEGF, which is a potent mitogen and stimulator of vascular growth and healing. However, the effect of such a growth factor on healing depends on the cellular ability to bind with its receptor. The purpose of this study was to test (1) whether the strength of a tissue-engineered ACL repair is associated with VEGF receptors’ mRNA expression of ACL cells and (2) whether age influences this association.

Method

Nineteen female Yucatan pigs underwent enhanced ACL repair. Biomechanical testing was performed after 15 weeks of healing. Messenger RNA of VEGF receptors 1 and 2 in ACL fibroblasts was assessed by RT–PCR. The ACL structural properties were regressed on receptor expression levels in a multivariate model including serum levels of VEGF, age, and weight as potential confounders.

Result

While maximum load and linear stiffness were independent of VEGF receptor expression, VEGF receptor 1 was associated with displacement (positively) and yield load (negatively). In a multivariate model of VEGF receptor expression and biomechanics, age was associated with maximum load and yield load.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that high VEGF receptor expression, even more so at higher age, results in a more compliant scar, which in turn may lead to greater knee laxity and a compromised clinical result.

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Acknowledgment

This study was funded by the NIH NIAMS Grant R01 AR052772 and NIH Grant AR054099.

Conflict of interest

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Enders 1016, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Patrick Vavken, Fawzy A. Saad & Martha M. Murray

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Braden C. Fleming

Authors
  1. Patrick Vavken
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  2. Fawzy A. Saad
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  3. Braden C. Fleming
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  4. Martha M. Murray
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Correspondence to Patrick Vavken.

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Vavken, P., Saad, F.A., Fleming, B.C. et al. VEGF receptor mRNA expression by ACL fibroblasts is associated with functional healing of the ACL. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19, 1675–1682 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1443-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1443-y

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