To create a three-dimensional meniscus model by robotic impression with PCL enriched with either mesenchymal stem cells or fibrochondrocytes for implantation in rabbits.
Fibrochondrocytes (FC) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) were harvested from remnants of meniscus and bone marrow of rabbits. Those cells were expanded for 14 days in monolayer, then were seeded on 3D printed meniscus models of polycaprolactone polymer and cultured during 4 days. The meniscus model was generated from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data from human meniscus using a scale reduction according with the average of different measurements performed to lateral meniscus of 6 months age rabbits. Meniscal cell-scaffolds were used for partial substitution of lateral meniscus in 6 rabbits. Implants were leave during 12 weeks and new-formed tissue was harvested for histology, inmmunofluorescence, and RNA isolation studies.
Meniscal models showed calcein staining of either fibrochondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (Fig. 1). In the gross and histological analyses fibrocartilage like tissue was formed in both the FC and MSC groups but with better results in models seeded with fibrochondrocytes (Fig. 2). The presence of Col-1, Agrecane, and Col-2 has better expression in FC scaffolds compared to MSC group that showed osseous tissue formation. A third control acellular group also formed bone tissue as well as expressed RunX2 in RNA.
Is possible to form meniscus like tissue after 12-weeks of lateral 3D-printed meniscal substitution of PCL enriched with fibrochondrocytes