P032 - Tendon Tissue Repair Using Alginate-cell Cross-linked Gel
- J. Yamaguchi (Sapporo, JP)
- J. Yamaguchi (Sapporo, JP)
- T. Onodera (Sapporo, JP)
- K. Homan (Sapporo, JP)
- K. Nagahama (Kobe, JP)
- N. Ueda (Kobe, JP)
- S. Sawada (Kobe, JP)
- M. Saito (Tokyo, JP)
- N. Iwasaki (Sapporo, JP)
Abstract
Purpose
Tendons are mechanosensitive tissues, and the complex interactions among cells, extracellular matrix, and mechanical loading maintain their homeostasis. Mechanical stress is one of the important factors in musculoskeletal disease and known to develop tissue repair. However, the cell transplantation method has never been developed under mechanical stress that is appropriate for the transplanted cells. The proper mechanical stress to transplanted cells would enhance tendon repair. Thus, we investigated the repair effect of the injured tendon using alginate-cell cross-linked gels, which can transmit mechanical stress to cells by direct cells interaction via alginate gels.
Methods and Materials
The cell cross-linked gels were prepared to suspend the azide-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with dibenzocyclooctyne modified branched alginic acid (bAlg-DBCO) solution. Alginate gels with MSCs were prepared in the same way using non azide-modified MSCs. Lewis rats were anesthetized, and the mid-substance in the Achilles tendons was excised and treated with NS (Control group), alginate gels alone (AL group), alginate gels with MSCs (MSCs group), and cell cross-linked gels (Crosslinked group). Rats were sacrificed at 2 or 4 weeks postoperatively. The Achilles tendons were evaluated by Modified Watkins scores for general histologic assessment. For mechanical evaluation, ultimate load to failure and stiffness were calculated. Data were presented as the mean ± SD. Significant differences among groups were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05).
Results
At 4 weeks, The modified Watkins scores of Crosslinked group was significantly greater than other groups (Fig. 1). For biomechanical assessment, at 4 weeks, the physical property of Crosslinked group was superior to other groups (Fig. 2).
Conclusion
In rats Achilles tendon defects model, we demonstrated that alginate-cell cross-linked gel developed repair of injured tendon. To interact cells directly using alginate gels, mechanical stress might be transmitted to cells. Eventually, cross-linked gels developed superior oriented parallel tendon tissue.