Zahra Abpeikar1, Lida Moradi2, Moosa Javdani3, Saeid Kargozar4, Mostafa Soleimannejad1, Elham Hasanzadeh5, Seyed Abbas Mirzaei6,7, Shiva Asadpour1,7. 1. Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. 2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Cell Biology, Medical School, New York University, New York, NY, USA. 3. Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. 4. Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 5. Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 6. Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. 7. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Meniscus injuries in the inner avascular zone have weak intrinsic self-healing capacity and often progress to osteoarthritis. This study focused on evaluating the effects of polycaprolactone/silk fibroin/gelatin/ascorbic acid (PCL/SF/Gel/AA) composite scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), in the meniscus repair. DESIGN: To this end, composite scaffolds were cross-linked using N-hydroxysuccinimide and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-1-carbodiimide hydrochloride. Scaffolds were then characterized by scanning electron microscope, mechanical tests, total antioxidant capacity, swelling, and toxicity tests. RESULTS: The PCL/SF/Gel/AA scaffolds exhibited suitable mechanical properties. Furthermore, vitamin C rendered them the highest antioxidant capacity. The PCL/SF/Gel/AA scaffolds also showed good biocompatibility and proliferation for chondrocytes. Moreover, the PCL/SF/Gel/AA scaffold seeded with allogeneic ASCs was engrafted in New Zealand rabbits who underwent unilateral punch defect in the medial meniscus of the right knee. After 2 months postimplantation, macroscopic and histologic studies for new meniscus cartilage were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the PCL/SF/Gel/AA composite scaffolds seeded with allogeneic ASCs could successfully improve meniscus healing in damaged rabbits.
OBJECTIVE: Meniscus injuries in the inner avascular zone have weak intrinsic self-healing capacity and often progress to osteoarthritis. This study focused on evaluating the effects of polycaprolactone/silk fibroin/gelatin/ascorbic acid (PCL/SF/Gel/AA) composite scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), in the meniscus repair. DESIGN: To this end, composite scaffolds were cross-linked using N-hydroxysuccinimide and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-1-carbodiimide hydrochloride. Scaffolds were then characterized by scanning electron microscope, mechanical tests, total antioxidant capacity, swelling, and toxicity tests. RESULTS: The PCL/SF/Gel/AA scaffolds exhibited suitable mechanical properties. Furthermore, vitamin C rendered them the highest antioxidant capacity. The PCL/SF/Gel/AA scaffolds also showed good biocompatibility and proliferation for chondrocytes. Moreover, the PCL/SF/Gel/AA scaffold seeded with allogeneic ASCs was engrafted in New Zealand rabbits who underwent unilateral punch defect in the medial meniscus of the right knee. After 2 months postimplantation, macroscopic and histologic studies for new meniscus cartilage were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the PCL/SF/Gel/AA composite scaffolds seeded with allogeneic ASCs could successfully improve meniscus healing in damaged rabbits.