Implementation of a stratified approach and gene immobilization to enhance the osseointegration of a silk-based ligament graft. Issue 34 (14th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Jiabing; Sun, Liguo; Chen, Xiaonan; Qu, Ling; Li, Hongguo; Liu, Xincheng; Zhang, Yushen; Cheng, Pengzhen; Fan, Hongbin
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 5:Issue 34(2017)
• Page Start: 7035
• Page End: 7050
• Publication Date: 2017-08-14
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7tb01579h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-750X

Abstract

Abstract : Integration of a stratified approach and gene immobilization promotes silk-based ACL interface formation, expanding the therapeutic potential of a silk-based ligament graft. Abstract : A silk scaffold exhibits high potential for the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction due to its exceptional mechanics as well as biocompatibility. Inefficient ACL interface restoration is thought to be a major hurdle for the common implementation of a silk-based ligament graft. By integrating a stratified approach and gene immobilization, here we developed a gene-immobilized triphasic silk scaffold to enhance ACL osseointegration. Isotropic silk was divided into three regions (respectively corresponding to a ligament, fibrocartilage and the bone region of the native ACL interface) using a custom-made divider, and the lentiviral vector-encoded transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGF-β3) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) was further, respectively, immobilized to phosphatidylserine (PS)-coated fibrocartilage and the bone region of the triphasic silk scaffold. The in vitro assessments displayed that this gene-immobilized triphasic silk scaffold significantly promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) proliferation and differentiation into corresponding cell lineage. Moreover, the gene-modified triphasic silk scaffold combined with BMSCs alone, which was rolled into a compact shaft to be implanted onto rabbit ACL-defect models, revealed roughly complete osseointegration restoration as a result of apparent three-layered tissue formation and robust mechanical ability as early as 12 weeks postoperatively. These outcomes demonstrated that employing the stratified approach and gene immobilization efficiently expedites silk-mediated ACL interface formation, expanding the therapeutic potential of the silk-based ligament graft for ACL reconstruction.