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Published on: December 10, 2021
Bioreactor optimization of tissue engineered rabbit flexor tendons in vivo
J Thorfinn1, I K Angelidis, L Gigliello
1Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Veterans Affairs and Division of Plastic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA. johan@thorfinn.se
The Journal of Hand Surgery, European Volume
|September 17, 2011
Summary
Tissue-engineered tendons cultured in a bioreactor showed enhanced strength in vivo. This study confirms that mechanical stimulation in a bioreactor improves tendon healing and mechanical properties after implantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Tissue-engineered tendons offer potential for repairing tendon injuries.
- Previous studies indicated improved in vitro strength after bioreactor culture.
- The in vivo efficacy of this approach remained uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo mechanical properties of tissue-engineered rabbit flexor tendons cultured under cyclic strain in a bioreactor.
- To determine if the in vitro strength gains translate to improved functional outcomes after surgical implantation.
Main Methods:
- Tenocytes were seeded onto decellularized rabbit flexor tendons.
- Constructs were cultured in a bioreactor with cyclic strain or kept unloaded (control).
- Tendons were implanted into a zone II defect in rabbits and explanted after 4 weeks for mechanical testing (UTS, EM) and histology.
Main Results:
- Bioreactor-treated tendon constructs exhibited significantly higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elastic modulus (EM) compared to controls.
- Histological analysis revealed increased cellularity in tendons exposed to cyclic strain.
- Improved mechanical properties suggest enhanced tendon healing and integration.
Conclusions:
- In vivo cyclic strain culture in a bioreactor significantly enhances the mechanical properties of tissue-engineered flexor tendons.
- This approach holds promise for improving outcomes in tendon repair and regeneration.
- Bioreactor-based tissue engineering can effectively translate in vitro improvements to in vivo functional benefits.
