Objective To study the immunological rejection occurred in different period after the in vivo implantation of vitreous-cryopreservation tissue engineered tendons for the repair of tendon defect and investigate its influences on the hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular function of rats. Methods Tenocytes obtained from tail tendon of one-weekold SD rats were cultured in vitro. The tenocytes at passage 2-4 (5 × 106 cells/mL) were co-cultured with 1.5 cm bio-derived tendon material to reconstruct tissue engineered tendon. The 21% DMSO was used as cryopreservation protection solution andthe Eurocoll ins solution served as basic solution for pre-frozen solution (4 ) and eluent. The cell-scaffold composites were vitreous-cryopreserved by self-designed method. Seventy-two healthy SD rats (male and/or female) weighing 210-230 g were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n=32), group B (n=32), and group C (n=8). The 0.5 cm tendon defect model was establ ished in the middle part of Achilles tendon in groups A and B. The defect in group A and B was repaired by the transplantation of tissue engineered tendon with and without vitreous-cryopreservation, respectively. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after transplantation, the general observation and the detection of hepatic function, renal function, and cardiovascular function were conducted. At 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplantation, serum immunology test was conducted. Results There were no tissue necrosis, hydrops, and suppurative infection in groups A and B. The adhesion was evident in groups A and B 2 weeks after transplantation, improved gradually during 4-6 weeks, and disappeared at 8 weeks. The neonatal tissue had full integration and continuity, and the bridging region of the tendon healed and was similar to the normal tendon. For serum IgG and IgM content, there was no significant difference when group A or B was compared with group C, and between group A and group B 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplantation (P gt; 0.05). Hepatic function: aspartate aminotransferase (AST) content of group A was less than that of group C 4 weeks after transplantation (P lt; 0.05); AST content of group B was less than that of group C 4 and 6 weeks after transplantation (P lt; 0.05); but there was no significant difference when group A or B was compared with group C in terms of other indexes 8 weeks after transplantation (P gt; 0.05). Renal function: serum albumin and creatinine in groups A and B were decreased obviously, and significant difference was evident when compared with group C (P lt; 0.05). Cardiovascular function: there was no significant difference between group A and group C in terms of blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol (P gt; 0.05);there was a significant difference between group B and group C in terms of triglyceride 8 weeks after transplantation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Repairing tendon defect with the implantation of vitreous-cryopreservation tissue engineered tendons results in no obvious immunological rejection and exerts no obvious influences on hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular function.
Objective To investigate the possibility of repairing defected tendon with a tissue engineering tendon, combined culture of allogenous tenocyte and derived tendon. Methods Macaca tenocytes labelled by BrdU were seeded on the derived tendon. The flexor digitorum profundus of five fingers of left hand in 15 Macaca mulatta were resected and made 2.5cm defects as experimental model. They were divided into three groups according to repair methods (Group A: Combined culture of derived tendon materials and alloggenous tendon cells; Group B; Derived tendon materials; Group C; Autograft). In different stages, the labeled BrdU of tendon cells were observed. Results In Groupo A, after iin vivo implantation, the tenocytes could proliferate and synthesize collagen; the new tissue was white and glossy and the collagen fibers fused to form dense tendon structure as several weeks passed. Twelve weeks after implantation, the tenocytes still survived and synthesized collagen, the results of labelled cells were positive by immunothistochemical methods. By scanning electron microscopic observation, the tenocytes arraged regularly and evely among the derived tendon; the collagen fibers formed a network and its main direction was accord with that of the derived tendon. Normal nucleus, nucleolus, and cell organelles were seen under transmission electron microscope. Conclusion Combined culture of tenocytes with derived tendon is able to make tendon like tissue. The structure of tissue engineering tendon in similar to that of normal tendon.
In order to investigate the possibility of repairing injuried tendon with living artificial tendon, after combining culture, subcultured autogenous tendon cells with carbon fibers were implanted into the calcaneous tendon of rabbits. In different stages, the synthesis of type I collagen and their relevant morphological changes were observed. The results showed as follows: after implantation, tendon cells continued proliferating. Four weeks after implantation, tendon cells were detached from the carbon fibers and proliferated and produced collagen among the carbon fibers. The collagen fibrils were linked with each other to formed a dense structure. In the linkage site, the collagen fibrils originated from the implants joined to that from the ruptured end of the tendon, which meaned that the implant was healed with the recipient tendon. Observed under scanning electronic microscope, the tendon cells were lined among the carbon fibers evenly and in order, the collagen fibrils joined each other and formed an network, the fibrils were lined parallel to the carbon fibers. Under transparent electron microscope, the nucleolus were clear and organelle were abundant.
The aim of this experiment was to study the osteogenesis in vivo of allogenic osteoblast combined culture with calcium phosphate composites. The osteoblasts were obtained by enzymatic digestion of periosteum from fibula subcultured to 13 generations, the cells were combined culture with hydroxyapatite and biphasic calcium phosphate. Subseguently, the composite was implanted into rabbits subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The blank material was implanted in the contralateral side as control. Four weeks later, all animals were sacrificed. All the implants were examined by gross observation, histological examination and EDXA. The results showed: 1. obvious ingrowth of connective tissue with very little inflammatory reaction; 2. new bone formation in the composites with deposit of Ca and P on the surface of osteoblast, but none in the blank materials; 3. no significant difference of new bone formation between the different sites of implantation or different materials, but those implanted intramuscularly had lamellae form of new bone while those implanted subcutaneously had only mineralization of extracellular matrix. The conclusion were: 1. the composites are biocompatible with prior osteogenesis property; 2. periosteal-derived allogenic osteoblasts obatined by enzymatic digestion could survive following implantation with bioactivity; 3. rich blood supply might be advantageous to new bone formation and its maturation.