TY - JOUR
T1 - Subcutaneously engineered autologous extracellular matrix scaffolds with aligned microchannels for enhanced tendon regeneration
T2 - Aligned microchannel scaffolds for tendon repair
AU - Li, Wen
AU - Midgley, Adam C.
AU - Bai, Yanli
AU - Zhu, Meifeng
AU - Chang, Hong
AU - Zhu, Wenying
AU - Wang, Lina
AU - Wang, Yuhao
AU - Wang, Hongjun
AU - Kong, Deling
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2019/12
Y1 - 2019/12
N2 - Improved strategies for the treatment of tendon defects are required to successfully restore mechanical function and strength to the damaged tissue. This remains a scientific and clinical challenge, given the tendon's limited innate regenerative capacity. Here, we present an engineering solution that stimulates the host cell's remodeling abilities. We combined precision-designed templates with subcutaneous implantation to generate decellularized autologous extracellular matrix (aECM) scaffolds that had highly aligned microchannels after removal of templates and cellular components. The aECM scaffolds promoted rapid cell infiltration, favorable macrophage responses, collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and physiological tissue remodeling in rat Achilles tendon defects. At three months post-surgery, the mechanical strength of tenocyte-populated ‘neo-tendons' was comparable to pre-injury state tendons. Overall, we demonstrated an in vivo bioengineering strategy for improved restoration of tendon tissue, which also offers wider implications for the regeneration of other highly organized tissues.
AB - Improved strategies for the treatment of tendon defects are required to successfully restore mechanical function and strength to the damaged tissue. This remains a scientific and clinical challenge, given the tendon's limited innate regenerative capacity. Here, we present an engineering solution that stimulates the host cell's remodeling abilities. We combined precision-designed templates with subcutaneous implantation to generate decellularized autologous extracellular matrix (aECM) scaffolds that had highly aligned microchannels after removal of templates and cellular components. The aECM scaffolds promoted rapid cell infiltration, favorable macrophage responses, collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and physiological tissue remodeling in rat Achilles tendon defects. At three months post-surgery, the mechanical strength of tenocyte-populated ‘neo-tendons' was comparable to pre-injury state tendons. Overall, we demonstrated an in vivo bioengineering strategy for improved restoration of tendon tissue, which also offers wider implications for the regeneration of other highly organized tissues.
KW - Aligned microchannel
KW - Autologous ECM scaffolds
KW - Mechanical and functional recovery
KW - Tendon regeneration
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072579960&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85072579960&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119488
DO - 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119488
M3 - Article
C2 - 31562997
AN - SCOPUS:85072579960
SN - 0142-9612
VL - 224
JO - Biomaterials
JF - Biomaterials
M1 - 119488
ER -