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J Knee Surg 2018; 31(06): 520-527
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604151
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Biomechanics and Microstructural Analysis of the Mouse Knee and Ligaments

Camila B. Carballo
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
2   Programa de Pós-graduação em Anatomia Patológica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil
,
Ian D. Hutchinson
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Zoe M. Album
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Michael J. Mosca
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Arielle Hall
2   Programa de Pós-graduação em Anatomia Patológica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil
,
Scott Rodeo Jr.
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Liang Ying
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Xiang-Hua Deng
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Scott A. Rodeo
1   Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 March 2017

31 May 2017

Publication Date:
18 July 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using murine models for translational study of knee ligament injury, repair, and reconstruction. To achieve this aim, we provide objective, quantitative data detailing the gross anatomy, biomechanical characteristics, and microscopic structure of knee ligaments of 44 male mice (C57BL6, 12 weeks of age). Biomechanical testing determined the load-to-failure force, stiffness, and the site of ligament failure for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL and LCL). These data are complemented by histological characterization of each of the knee ligaments. In addition, the osseous morphology of the mouse knee was examined using high-resolution nanofocus computed tomography (CT), while standard micro-CT was employed to measure bone morphometrics of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Collectively, our findings suggest that the gross anatomy of the mouse knee is similar to the human knee despite some minor differences and features unique to the murine knee. The ACL had the highest load to failure (5.60 ± 0.75 N), the MCL (3.33 ± 1.45 N), and the PCL (3.45 ± 0.84 N) were similar, and the LCL (1.44 ± 0.37 N) had the lowest load to failure and stiffness. Murine models provide a unique opportunity to focus on biological processes that impact ligament pathology and healing due to the availability of transgenic strains. Our data support their use as a translational platform for the in vivo study of ligament injury, repair, and reconstruction.

Keywords

biomechanics - micro-CT - knee ligaments - mouse - murine models
 

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