Scaffold-Free Tissue-Engineered Allogenic Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promote Meniscus Healing.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Purpose To determine whether meniscal tissue could be healed histologically by the implantation of allogenic three-dimensional formed adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in a rabbit model of partial meniscectomy. Methods Forty Japanese white rabbits (aged 15-17 weeks) were assigned to 2 groups. Defects 1.5 mm in diameter were created in the anterior horn of the medial menisci. The defects were left empty in the control group and were filled with cylindrical plugs of allogenic ADSCs extracted from adipose tissue in the experimental group. Macroscopic scoring (range, 0-3), histological scoring (range, 0-12), and immunohistological stainability of type I collagen were evaluated at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively (n = 5 rabbits for each week). Results Macroscopically, the height of the healing tissue in the experimental group was significantly greater than that of the control group at 2 weeks (3 vs 0, P = .01), 4 weeks (3 vs 1, P = .01), and 8 weeks (3 vs 2, P = .02). Histologically, safranin-O staining was noted at 2 weeks and increased gradually over time in the experimental group. In contrast, the intensity of staining was lower in controls at all weeks. Tissue quality scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the controls at all weeks (3 vs 0 at 2 weeks [P = .00009], 4.5 vs 2 at 4 weeks [P = .00023], 9 vs 5 at 8 weeks [P = .0047], 10.5 vs 6 at 12 w

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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