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Freezing causes changes in the meniscus collagen net: a new ultrastructural meniscus disarray scale
Pablo Eduardo Gelber1, Gemma Gonzalez, José Luis Lloreta
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, URFOA-IMIM, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Marítim 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. pgelber@imas.imim.es
Summary
Freezing significantly alters meniscal collagen architecture, reducing fibril diameter and increasing disarray. This structural damage may explain meniscal allograft shrinkage after transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Meniscal allograft shrinkage after transplantation is a clinical concern.
- Alterations in meniscal permeability and nutritional deficits are hypothesized causes.
- The impact of preservation methods on meniscal tissue integrity requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of freezing on the collagen architecture of human menisci.
- To determine if freezing contributes to the structural changes observed in transplanted menisci.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 26 fresh human external menisci using transmission electron microscopy.
- Comparison of 13 frozen menisci (-80°C) with 13 control (fresh) menisci.
- Development and application of a novel scale to grade collagen meniscal architecture based on periodicity, disruption, banding, packing, fibril size, and edema.
Main Results:
- Frozen menisci exhibited significantly smaller fibril collagen diameters (longitudinal: 14.26 nm vs. 17.28 nm; transverse: 13.14 nm vs. 16.93 nm) compared to controls (p<0.019).
- 61.54% of frozen menisci were classified as grade III (severe disarray), while all control menisci were grade I or II.
- Frozen menisci showed significantly higher scores (4.85) on the collagen architecture scale compared to controls (2.46) (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- The freezing process significantly alters the collagenous network of human menisci.
- Freezing leads to thinner collagen fibrils and a higher degree of structural disarray.
- These alterations in collagen architecture due to freezing may contribute to meniscal allograft shrinkage and pathological changes post-transplantation.
