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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Evaluation of Stem Cell Therapies in a Bilateral Patellar Tendon Injury Model in Rats
Published on: March 30, 2018
BMP-2 gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells enhance tendon-bone healing in ACL reconstruction: a rabbit micro-CT and
Hongcheng Zheng1, Yongtao Zeng1, Nacke Daoerji1
1The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830001, Xinjiang, China.
Objective:
Suboptimal tendon-bone interface healing remains a critical challenge affecting outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study investigates whether BMP-2 gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhances tendon-bone osseointegration.
Methods:
An ACL reconstruction model was established in 18 New Zealand white rabbits, randomized into three groups: Control(fibrin glue), MSCs-Ad (adenovirus-vector transfected MSCs), MSCs-BMP2 (BMP-2-overexpressing MSCs). Micro-CT analysis and biomechanical testing assessed bone regeneration and interface properties at 4 weeks postoperatively.
Results:
Micro-CT analysis revealed a significant enhancement in bone regeneration within the tunnel in the order of MSCs-BMP2 > MSCs-Ad > Control. The MSCs-BMP2 group demonstrated the highest values for bone volume fraction (BV/TV: 0.35 ± 0.05 vs. 0.27 ± 0.03 in MSCs-Ad vs. 0.22 ± 0.03 in Control), trabecular number (Tb.N: 0.73 ± 0.01 vs. 0.68 ± 0.01 vs. 0.64 ± 0.03), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th: 0.46 ± 0.02 vs. 0.38 ± 0.01 vs. 0.36 ± 0.03). Biomechanical testing yielded consistent results: the maximum failure load for the MSCs-BMP2 group (32.80 ± 3.94 N) was significantly greater than that of both the MSCs-Ad (27.37 ± 2.15 N) and control (21.07 ± 1.94 N) groups, while the MSCs-Ad group also showed a significant improvement over the control.
Conclusion:
BMP-2 gene-modified MSCs synergistically accelerate tendon-bone osseointegration, providing a theoretical foundation for biological augmentation in ACL reconstruction. This strategy may reduce postoperative graft failure risks. Future studies should validate clinical translation through long-term monitoring and mechanistic investigations.
