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Effects of mechanical strain on human mesenchymal stem cells and ligament fibroblasts in a textured poly(l-lactide) scaffold for ligament tissue engineering

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to prove the effect of cyclic uniaxial intermittent strain on the mRNA expression of ligament-specific marker genes in human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and anterior cruciate ligament-derived fibroblasts (ACL-fibroblasts) seeded onto a novel textured poly(l-lactide) scaffold (PLA scaffold). Cell-seeded scaffolds were mechanically stimulated by cyclic uniaxial stretching. The expression of ligament matrix gene markers: collagen types I and III, fibronectin, tenascin C and decorin, as well as the proteolytic enzymes matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 and MMP-2 and their tissue specific inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was investigated by analysing the mRNA expression using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and related to the static control. In ACL-fibroblasts seeded on PLA, mechanical load induced up-regulation of collagen types I and III, fibronectin and tenascin C. No effect of mechanical stimulation on the expression of ligament marker genes was found in undifferentiated MSC seeded on PLA. The results indicated that the new textured PLA scaffold could transfer the mechanical load to the ACL-fibroblasts and improved their ligament phenotype. This scaffold might be suitable as a cell-carrying component of ACL prostheses.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Government of Baden-Württemberg for supporting this study in the context of the Network of Excellence for Biomaterials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Center of Musculoskeletal Research, University of Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 14, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    Ludwika Kreja, Astrid Liedert, Heiter Schlenker, Lutz Dürselen & Anita Ignatius

  2. Division for Biochemistry of Joint and Connective Tissue Diseases, Department of Orthopaedics, Center of Musculoskeletal Research, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    Rolf E. Brenner & Jörg Fiedler

  3. Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Center of Musculoskeletal Research, Armed Forces Hospital Ulm, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    Benedikt Friemert

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  1. Ludwika Kreja
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Correspondence to Ludwika Kreja.

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Kreja, L., Liedert, A., Schlenker, H. et al. Effects of mechanical strain on human mesenchymal stem cells and ligament fibroblasts in a textured poly(l-lactide) scaffold for ligament tissue engineering. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 23, 2575–2582 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4710-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4710-7

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