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Development of Ligament-Like Structural Organization and Properties in Cell-Seeded Collagen Scaffolds in vitro

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Abstract

Acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries lead to poor joint function, instability, and eventually osteoarthritis if left untreated. Current surgical treatment options are not ideal; however, tissue engineering may provide mechanically sound, biocompatible reconstructions. Collagen fiber scaffolds were combined with fibroblast-seeded collagen gels and maintained in culture for up to 20 days. The tensile and viscoelastic behavior of the constructs closely mimicked that of natural ligament. Constructs’ mechanical and viscoelastic properties did not degrade over time in culture, and peak stress was significantly higher for constructs with embedded fibroblasts. Immunocytochemical and histological analyses demonstrated cell proliferation and ligament-like organization. We have created an engineered tissue that closely approaches key mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the ACL, does not degrade after 20 days in culture, and is histologically similar to the native tissue. This study should aid in developing effective treatments for ACL injury.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Russell Auger for invaluable assistance with histology and Ms. Lorraine McGinley for administrative support. The financial support of the National Science Foundation and the Louisiana Board of Regents is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Eileen Gentleman & Eric A. Nauman Ph.D.

  2. Department of Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, USA

    Glen A. Livesay & Kay C Dee

  3. School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Eric A. Nauman Ph.D.

  4. Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Eric A. Nauman Ph.D.

  5. School of Mechanical Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, 585 Purdue Mall, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Eric A. Nauman Ph.D.

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  1. Eileen Gentleman
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Gentleman, E., Livesay, G.A., Dee, K.C. et al. Development of Ligament-Like Structural Organization and Properties in Cell-Seeded Collagen Scaffolds in vitro . Ann Biomed Eng 34, 726–736 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-005-9058-4

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