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The meniscus is a wedge-shaped fibrocartilage structure between the upper and lower cartilage surfaces in the knee joint. It has the functions of absorbing shock, buffering pressure, and reducing cartilage surface wear, and is crucial to enhancing knee joint stability. However, due to the anisotropy of the meniscus spatial structure, the complexity of the biomechanical microenvironment in which it is located, and the lack of blood supply on the medial side, the meniscus, especially its free edge, is often difficult to self-repair after injury. This leads to an imbalance in joint stress distribution, promotes joint wear, and significantly increases the risk of osteoarthritis. It is a common and refractory joint disease in clinical practice.
Currently commonly used clinical treatment methods such as partial resection, subtotal resection or total resection, allogeneic transplantation and meniscus prosthesis can only temporarily relieve symptoms such as pain, but the long-term effects are poor. For example, the reconstruction of the function and structure of meniscus prosthesis after partial and total resection of the meniscus has been proven to fail to achieve the expected results. The source of allogeneic meniscus transplants is limited, and the long-term effects are uncertain.
In recent years, the rapid development of tissue engineering technology has provided new options for meniscus repair. On April 6, 2020, Professors Ao Yingfang and Hu Xiaoqing from Peking University Third Hospital and Professor Chen Haifeng from the Department of Biomedical Engineering of Peking University jointly published a study to develop a biomimetic composite tissue meniscus scaffold composed of polycaprolactone and silk fibroin. This composite scaffold has good biomechanical properties and biocompatibility, and can be used to enhance the regeneration ability of the meniscus and protect cartilage tissue.
Physical properties of the scaffold: The physical properties of the scaffold were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observation, degradation test, interface friction assessment, biomechanical test and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis.
Biocompatibility evaluation: The viability, morphology, proliferation and differentiation ability of synovial-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the scaffold and the production of extracellular matrix were evaluated by live-dead cell staining, Alamar blue staining, ELISA analysis and qRT-PCR experiments.
In vivo experimental results: The functionalized hybrid scaffold was implanted into the meniscus defect of the rabbit knee joint for meniscus regeneration. The results showed that the combination of polycaprolactone and silk fibroin can balance the biomechanical properties and degradation rate of the scaffold, matching the natural meniscus. Silk fibroin sponge has good elasticity and low interfacial shear force, which enhances the energy absorption capacity of the meniscus and improves the cartilage protection ability.
The new meniscus tissue engineering composite bionic scaffold constructed in this study combines the dual advantages of polycaprolactone and silk fibroin. By optimizing the biomechanical properties, structural design and biological functions of the scaffold, it provides a local microenvironment that is conducive to the recruitment, proliferation and differentiation of endogenous stem cells. This scaffold synergistically promotes the repair and regeneration of the meniscus, and effectively protects the articular cartilage on the basis of its good function. This study lays the foundation for the clinical transformation and application of tissue engineering repair of meniscus injury. In the future, with the further development of technology, tissue engineering meniscus is expected to be more widely used in clinical practice, providing patients with more effective treatment options.
Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/32308770
