Abstract
Objectives: Repairing articular cartilage damage is challenging. Clinically, tissue engineering technology is used to induce stem cell differentiation and proliferation on biological scaffolds to repair defective joints. However, no ideal biological scaffolds have been identified. This study investigated the effects of amniotic membrane/collagen scaffolds on the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and articular cartilage repair. Methods: Adipose tissue of New Zealand rabbits was excised, and ADSCs were isolated and induced for differentiation. An articular cartilage defect model was constructed to identify the effect of amniotic membrane/collagen scaffolds on cartilage repair. Cartilage formation was analyzed by imaging and toluene blue staining. Knee joint recovery in rabbits was examined using hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine, safranine, and immunohistochemistry at 12 weeks post-operation. Gene expression was examined using ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Results: The adipose tissue was effectively differentiated into ADSCs, which further differentiated into chondrogenic, osteogenic, and lipogenic lineages after 3 weeks’ culture in vitro. Compared with platelet-rich plasmon (PRP) scaffolds, the amniotic membrane scaffolds better promoted the growth and differentiation of ADSCs. Additionally, scaffolds containing the PRP and amniotic membrane efficiently enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. The levels of COL1A1, COL2A1, COL10A1, SOX9, and ACAN in ADSCs + amniotic membrane + PRP group were significantly higher than the other groups both in vitro and in vivo. The Wakitani scores of the ADSC + amniotic membrane + PRP group were lower than that in ADSC + PRP (4.4 ± 0.44**), ADSC + amniotic membrane (2.63 ± 0.38**), and control groups (6.733 ± 0.21) at week 12 post-operation. Osteogenesis in rabbits of the ADSC + amniotic membrane + PRP group was significantly upregulated when compared with other groups. Amniotic membranes significantly promoted the expression of cartilage regeneration-related factors (SOX6, SOX9, RUNX2, NKX3-2, MEF2C, and GATA4). The ADSC + PRP + amniotic membrane group exhibited the highest levels of TGF-β, PDGF, and FGF while exhibiting the lowest level of IL-1β, IL6, and TNF-α in articular cavity. Conclusion: Amniotic membrane/collagen combination-based scaffolds promoted the proliferation and cartilage differentiation of ADSCs, and may provide a new treatment paradigm for patients with cartilage injury.
Highlights
The bone joints comprise the articular surface, joint capsule, and joint cavity (Juneja et al, 2020)
We investigated the effects of amniotic membrane/ collagen scaffolds on the chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and articular cartilage repair
The release of these factors slowed down on day 14 and decreased slightly on day 21. These findings indicate that the release of TGF-β, PDGF, and FGF from PRP decreased with time (*p < 0.05) (Figure 2B)
Summary
The bone joints comprise the articular surface, joint capsule, and joint cavity (Juneja et al, 2020). The articular surface is covered with a layer of smooth cartilage, which aids the movement of bones and mitigates mechanical impact during movement (Tatman et al, 2015). The poor regenerative ability of cartilage is a major impediment to the recovery of knee joint damage (Bruns et al, 2018). The major treatments for patients with joint damage are long-term symptomatic management and surgical replacement of the joint. Adjuvant treatment is often needed to mitigate immune rejection after joint replacement surgery (Sturm et al, 2020). Auto-transplantation of articular cartilage cells or tissues derived from self-stem cells, such as adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), can mitigate immune rejection and promote joint injury repair (Embree et al, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
