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Journal of biomechanics2015; 48(10); 1944-1949; doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.04.010

Mechanical characterization of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI®) grafts in an equine model at 53 weeks.

Abstract: There has been much interest in using autologous chondrocytes in combination with scaffold materials to aid in cartilage repair. In the present study, a total of 27 animals were used to compare the performance of matrix-assisted chondrocyte implantation (MACI®) using a collagen sponge as a chondrocyte delivery vehicle, the sponge membrane alone, and empty controls. A total of three distinct types of mechanical analyses were performed on repaired cartilage harvested from horses after 53 weeks of implantation: (1) compressive behavior of samples to measure aggregate modulus (HA) and hydraulic permeability (k) in confined compression; (2) local and global shear modulus using confocal strain mapping; and (3) boundary friction coefficient using a custom-built tribometer. Cartilage defects receiving MACI® implants had equilibrium modulus values that were 70% of normal cartilage, and were not statistically different than normal tissue. Defects filled with Maix™ membrane alone or left empty were only 46% and 51-63% of control, respectively. The shear modulus of tissue from all groups of cartilage defects were between 4 and 10 times lower than control tissue, and range from 0.2 to 0.4 MPa. The average values of boundary mode friction coefficients of control tissue from all groups ranged from 0.42 to 0.52. This study represents an extensive characterization of the mechanical performance of the MACI® grafts implant in a large animal model at 53 weeks. Collectively, these data demonstrate a range of implant performance, revealing similar compressive and frictional properties to native tissue, with inferior shear properties.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2015-04-15 PubMed ID: 25920896DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.04.010Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the effectiveness of using a collagen sponge in combination with autologous chondrocytes (cells derived from the patient’s own body) for the repair of cartilage in an animal model. The findings showed this method provided similar compressive and frictional characteristics to native tissue after 53 weeks, although the mechanical properties related to shear stress were inferior.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of matrix-assisted chondrocyte implantation (MACI®) – a therapy involving the use of the patient’s own cells (autologous chondrocytes) and a scaffold matrix (here a collagen sponge) to facilitate the repair of damaged cartilage.
  • The study utilized a total of 27 horses as the animal model, focusing on three groups for comparison – MACI-treated with collagen sponge, sponge membrane alone, and empty controls.
  • Three types of mechanical analyses were carried out on the repaired cartilage after 53 weeks of implantation. These included measuring compressive behavior, shear modulus, and boundary friction coefficient.

Results and Findings

  • Results from the compressive behavior analysis revealed that defects treated with MACI® implants showed equilibrium modulus values 70% similar to that of healthy cartilage, indicating that these grafts closely resemble the mechanical properties of normal tissue under compressive stress.
  • Conversely, defects filled with the membrane alone or left empty showed poorer performance, achieving only 46% and 51-63% of control values, respectively.
  • The shear modulus, which measures the tissue’s resistance to shear stress (tendency of the tissue’s shape to deform under sideways forces), was found to be significantly lower in all groups of cartilage defects compared to the control group.
  • The coefficients of boundary mode friction, a measure for frictional properties, of control tissue from the three groups were relatively similar, ranging from 0.42 to 0.52, suggesting that MACI-treated defects demonstrate frictional characteristics similar to healthy cartilage tissue.

Conclusion

  • This study provides comprehensive insights into the mechanical performance of MACI® graft implants utilizing a large animal model over a significant timescale.
  • The results highlight that MACI® grafting technique shows promising performance in terms of achieving compressive and frictional properties similar to native tissue, although the treated tissue’s capability to withstand shear stress requires improvement.

Cite This Article

APA
Griffin DJ, Bonnevie ED, Lachowsky DJ, Hart JC, Sparks HD, Moran N, Matthews G, Nixon AJ, Cohen I, Bonassar LJ. (2015). Mechanical characterization of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI®) grafts in an equine model at 53 weeks. J Biomech, 48(10), 1944-1949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.04.010

Publication

Journal of biomechanics
ISSN: 1873-2380
NlmUniqueID: 0157375
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 10
Pages: 1944-1949
PII: S0021-9290(15)00226-2

Researcher Affiliations

Griffin, Darvin J
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Bonnevie, Edward D
  • Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Lachowsky, Devin J
  • Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Hart, James C A
  • Comparative Orthopaedics Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Sparks, Holly D
  • Comparative Orthopaedics Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Moran, Nance
  • Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Matthews, Gloria
  • Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Nixon, Alan J
  • Comparative Orthopaedics Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Cohen, Itai
  • Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Bonassar, Lawrence J
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Electronic address: lb244@cornell.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biopsy
  • Cartilage, Articular / surgery
  • Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Collagen
  • Compressive Strength
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Friction
  • Horses
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Movement
  • Orthopedic Procedures
  • Pressure
  • Transplants

Citations

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