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Healing of meniscal tissue by cellular fibrin glue: an in vivo study

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

Abstract

Menisci represent fundamental structures for the maintenance of knee homeostasis, playing a key role in knee biomechanics. However, their intrinsic regenerative potential is poor. As a consequence, when a lesion occurs and the meniscus is partially removed by surgery, knee mechanics is subject to dramatic changes. These have been demonstrated to lead often to the development of early osteoarthritis. Therefore, menisci should be repaired whenever possible. In the last decades, tissue engineering approaches have been advocated to improve the reparative processes of joint tissues. In this study, the bonding capacity of an articular chondrocytes-fibrin glue hydrogel was tested as a biologic glue to improve the bonding between two swine meniscal slices in a nude mouse model. The composites were wrapped with acellular fibrin glue and implanted in subcutaneous pouches of nude mice for 4 weeks. Upon retrieval, a firm gross bonding was observed in the experimental samples while none of the control samples, prepared with acellular fibrin glue at the interface, presented any sign of bonding. This was consistent with the histological and scanning electron microscope findings. In particular, a fibrocartilaginous tissue was found at the interface between the meniscal slices, partially penetrating the native meniscus tissue. In order to overcome the lack of regenerative properties of the meniscus, the rationale of using cellular fibrin glue is that fibrin provides immediate stability while carrying cells in the site of lesion. Moreover, fibrin gel is recognized as an optimal scaffold for cell embedding and for promoting fibrocartilaginous differentiation of the cells which synthesize matrix having healing property. These results demonstrated the potential of this model for improving the meniscal bonding. However, further orthotopic studies in a large animal model are needed to evaluate its potential for clinical application.

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Acknowledgments

This work was done at the Stem Cell Research Institute, directed by Professor Giulio Cossu. The authors gratefully acknowledge Corrado Sosio, MD for his help in sample implant and harvest; Mr. Paolo Stortini for his precious help in histological analysis. A special thank is given to the Spaccio Agricolo Agripig for their assistance in animal management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy

    C. Scotti, A. Pozzi, L. Mangiavini, G. Fraschini & G. M. Peretti

  2. Residency Program in Orthopaedics and Traumatology I, Gaetano Pini Orthopaedic Institute, University of Milan, Piazza A. Ferrari 1, 20122, Milan, Italy

    C. Scotti

  3. Residency Program in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinics, Hospital San Gerardo, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Donizetti 106, 20052, Monza, Italy

    L. Mangiavini

  4. Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technologies for Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Trentacoste 2, 20134, Milan, Italy

    F. Vitari & C. Domeneghini

  5. Laboratory of Biological Structures Mechanics, Department of Structural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133, Milan, Italy

    F. Boschetti

  6. Faculty of Exercise Sciences, University of Milan, Via Kramer 4/A, 20129, Milan, Italy

    G. M. Peretti

  7. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy

    G. M. Peretti

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  1. C. Scotti
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  2. A. Pozzi
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  3. L. Mangiavini
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  4. F. Vitari
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  6. C. Domeneghini
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  8. G. M. Peretti
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Correspondence to G. M. Peretti.

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Scotti, C., Pozzi, A., Mangiavini, L. et al. Healing of meniscal tissue by cellular fibrin glue: an in vivo study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17, 645–651 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0745-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0745-9

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