Effect of Mechanical Stimulation on Meniscal Tissue Engineering Using Canine Synoviocyte: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Meniscal injuries are a common cause of pain and disability in dogs. Tissue engineering approaches provide alternatives to current treatments. In our previous study, we arthroscopically harvested synoviocytes from clinical canine patients. Using chondrogenic growth factor protocols, anatomically sized synoviocyte neotissues formed, but ECM composition was sub-optimal. In vivo, the meniscus is under constant load, and the role of mechanical stimulation should not be overlooked. Our current strategy is to ‘exercise’ the synoviocytes while protecting them from direct force. The objective of the study is to evaluate cell viability and ECM production of fibrin gel scaffolds containing synoviocytes subjected to mechanical stimulations.

Materials and Methods: Three passages of canine synoviocytes were performed, and the cells were seeded at 500,000 cells/mL in fibrin gel scaffolds and cultured under standard conditions in supplemented DMEM. The gels were exercised daily on a shaker plate with and without titanium balls for 60 minutes. Fibrochondrogenesis was evaluated histologically. Cell density, distribution, and viability were also assessed.

Results: Synovium from two subjects were successfully harvested. A high percentage of cell viability was detected with cell distribution predominantly at the gel surface area. Increased collagen and glycosaminoglycan production was detected in the exercised specimen near the cell-rich superficial layer.

Discussion/Conclusion: There was a substantial difference in collagen and glycosaminoglycan production between exercised and non-exercised specimens, with cell orientation influenced by direction of applied forces. Future studies will address optimal gel concentration, cell density, and intensity of mechanical stimulation.

Acknowledgements: There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.

Publication History

Article published online:
26 October 2022