Cultures of Ligament Fibroblasts in Fibrin Matrix Gel

Abstract

The cellular properties of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) fibroblasts have been analyzed in a three-dimensional fibrin matrix gel (FMG) system. The MCL fibroblasts proliferated significantly faster than ACL fibroblasts in 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). FMG contraction resembles soft-tissue wound contraction. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) (5 ng/ml) caused a significantly faster rate of FMG contraction than control (0.5% FBS) in both ACL and MCL fibroblasts. Unlike the cells in 10% FBS, this faster rate of FMG contraction was achieved without increasing the initial cell number. In the FMG, the MCL fibroblasts demonstrated significantly higher collagen synthesis per cell than ACL fibroblasts between the days 2 and 6 of culture. These differences in cellular properties of the ACL and MCL fibroblasts that were observed in vitro may explain the differences in the healing potential of these ligaments in vivo.

Local Administration of Autologous Synovium-Derived Cells Improve the Structural Properties of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Autograft Reconstruction in Sheep

“…1,14 Namely, the cells were mixed with the fibrin part; then, this solution was mixed with the thrombin part. The final concentration was approximately 5 3 10 7 cells/mL.…”

Injury-Induced Changes in mRNA Levels Differ Widely between Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament

“…7,30,39,41,63,67,69 There is strong evidence suggesting that cellular differences between the ACL and MCL are significant determinants of the different healing capacities of these ligaments. In vitro, MCL fibroblasts synthesize more collagen than ACL fibroblasts under comparable culture conditions.…”

“…In vitro, MCL fibroblasts synthesize more collagen than ACL fibroblasts under comparable culture conditions. 7 Anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts are reported to be more prone to nitric oxide-induced apoptosis, 41 respond less to growth factors such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and basic fibroblast growth (bFGF), and display slower growth rates than MCL fibroblasts. 67 Furthermore, MCL-derived fibroblasts exhibit diminished sensitivity to inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα).…”

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Healing and Repair

“…[29][30][31] MCL and ACL cells synthesize collagen at similar rates, 29 however, ACL cells make relatively less Type 3 collagen under simulated in vitro wound conditions. 29 Small differences in the proliferative response to growth factors and serum have been observed in ACL and MCL cells, 23,29,[31][32][33][34] but this difference has not been believed to be significant enough to explain fully the differences in clinical healing of the ACL and MCL. 34 …”