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Karjalainen VP, Herrera Millar VR, Modina S, Peretti GM, Pallaoro M, Elkhouly K, Saarakkala S, Mobasheri A, Di Giancamillo A, Finnilä MAJ. Age and anatomical region-related differences in vascularization of the porcine meniscus using microcomputed tomography imaging. J Orthop Res 2024; 42:2095-2105. [PMID: 38685793 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Meniscal lesions in vascularized regions are known to regenerate while lack of vascular supply leads to poor healing. Here, we developed and validated a novel methodology for three-dimensional structural analysis of meniscal vascular structures with high-resolution microcomputed tomography (µCT). We collected porcine medial menisci from 10 neonatal (not-developed meniscus, n-) and 10 adults (fully developed meniscus, a-). The menisci were cut into anatomical regions (anterior horn (n-AH and a-AH), central body (n-CB and a-CB), and posterior horn (n-PH and a-PH). Specimens were cut in half, fixed, and one specimen underwent critical point drying and µCT imaging, while other specimen underwent immunohistochemistry and vascularity biomarker CD31 staining for validation of µCT. Parameters describing vascular structures were calculated from µCT. The vascular network in neonatal spread throughout meniscus, while in adult was limited to a few vessels in outer region, mostly on femoral side. n-AH, n-CB, and n-PH had 20, 17, and 11 times greater vascular volume fraction than adult, respectively. Moreover, thickness of blood vessels, in three regions, was six times higher in adults than in neonatal. a-PH appeared to have higher vascular fraction, longer and thicker blood vessels than both a-AH and a-CB. Overall, neonatal regions had a higher number of blood vessels, more branching, and higher tortuosity compared to adult regions. For the first time, critical point drying-based µCT imaging allowed detailed three-dimensional visualization and quantitative analysis of vascularized meniscal structures. We showed more vascularity in neonatal menisci, while adult menisci had fewer and thicker vascularity especially limited to the femoral surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville-Pauli Karjalainen
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Silvia Modina
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe M Peretti
- Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Lab, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Pallaoro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Khaled Elkhouly
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Simo Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ali Mobasheri
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Mikko A J Finnilä
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Wang C, Heo Y, Tumenbayar BI, Lee SH, Bae Y, Chin Heo S. Epigenetic Dynamics in Meniscus Cell Migration and its Zonal Dependency in Response to Inflammatory Conditions: Implications for Regeneration Strategies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.22.604178. [PMID: 39091842 PMCID: PMC11291020 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.22.604178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Meniscus injuries pose significant challenges in clinical settings, primarily due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of the tissue and the limited efficacy of current treatments. Endogenous cell migration is crucial for the healing process, yet the regulatory mechanisms of meniscus cell migration and its zonal dependency within the meniscus are not fully understood. Thus, this study investigates the role of epigenetic mechanisms in governing meniscus cell migration under inflammatory conditions, with a focus on their implications for injury healing and regeneration. Here, we discovered that a proinflammatory cytokine, TNF-α treatment significantly impedes the migration speed of inner meniscus cells, while outer meniscus cells are unaffected, underscoring a zonal-dependent response within the meniscus. Our analysis identified distinct histone modification patterns and chromatin dynamics between inner and outer meniscus cells during migration, highlighting the necessity to consider these zonal-dependent properties in devising repair strategies. Specifically, we found that TNF-α differentially influences histone modifications, particularly H3K27me3, between the two cell types. Transcriptome analysis further revealed that TNF-α treatment induces substantial gene expression changes, with inner meniscus cells exhibiting more pronounced alterations than outer cells. Gene cluster analysis pointed to distinct responses in chromatin remodeling, extracellular matrix assembly, and wound healing processes between the zonal cell populations. Moreover, we identified potential therapeutic targets by employing existing epigenetic drugs, GSKJ4 (a histone demethylase inhibitor) and C646 (a histone acetyltransferase inhibitor), to successfully restore the migration speed of inner meniscus cells under inflammatory conditions. This highlights their potential utility in treating meniscus tear injuries. Overall, our findings elucidate the intricate interplay between epigenetic mechanisms and meniscus cell migration, along with its meniscus zonal dependency. This study provides insights into potential targets for enhancing meniscus repair and regeneration, which may lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients with meniscus injuries and osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yize Zhang
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yujia Zhang
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Catherine Wang
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuna Heo
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bat-Ider Tumenbayar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Se-Hwan Lee
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yongho Bae
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Su Chin Heo
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Dejea H, Pierantoni M, Orozco GA, B Wrammerfors ET, Gstöhl SJ, Schlepütz CM, Isaksson H. In Situ Loading and Time-Resolved Synchrotron-Based Phase Contrast Tomography for the Mechanical Investigation of Connective Knee Tissues: A Proof-of-Concept Study. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308811. [PMID: 38520713 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Articular cartilage and meniscus transfer and distribute mechanical loads in the knee joint. Degeneration of these connective tissues occurs during the progression of knee osteoarthritis, which affects their composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties. A deeper understanding of disease progression can be obtained by studying them simultaneously. Time-resolved synchrotron-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography (SR-PhC-µCT) allows to capture the tissue dynamics. This proof-of-concept study presents a rheometer setup for simultaneous in situ unconfined compression and SR-PhC-µCT of connective knee tissues. The microstructural response of bovine cartilage (n = 16) and meniscus (n = 4) samples under axial continuously increased strain, or two steps of 15% strain (stress-relaxation) is studied. The chondrocyte distribution in cartilage and the collagen fiber orientation in the meniscus are assessed. Variations in chondrocyte density reveal an increase in the top 40% of the sample during loading, compared to the lower half. Meniscus collagen fibers reorient perpendicular to the loading direction during compression and partially redisperse during relaxation. Radiation damage, image repeatability, and image quality assessments show little to no effects on the results. In conclusion, this approach is highly promising for future studies of human knee tissues to understand their microstructure, mechanical response, and progression in degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Dejea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, Lund, 221 00, Sweden
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Lund, 224 84, Sweden
| | - Maria Pierantoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, Lund, 221 00, Sweden
| | - Gustavo A Orozco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, Lund, 221 00, Sweden
| | | | - Stefan J Gstöhl
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen PSI, 5232, Switzerland
| | | | - Hanna Isaksson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, Lund, 221 00, Sweden
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Herrera Millar VR, Canciani B, Mangiavini L, Filipe JFS, Aidos L, Pallaoro M, Peretti GM, Pocar P, Modina SC, Di Giancamillo A. Endostatin in 3D Fibrin Hydrogel Scaffolds Promotes Chondrogenic Differentiation in Swine Neonatal Meniscal Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102415. [PMID: 36289678 PMCID: PMC9598439 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of cell-based approaches for the treatment of cartilage or fibro-cartilaginous tissue defects requires an optimal cell source with chondrogenic differentiation ability that maintains its differentiated properties and stability following implantation. For this purpose, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of endostatin (COL18A1), an anti-angiogenic factor, which is physiologically involved in cell differentiation during meniscus development. Swine neonatal meniscal cells not yet subjected to mechanical stimuli were extracted, cultured in fibrin hydrogel scaffolds, and treated at two different time points (T1 = 9 days and T2 = 21 days) with different concentrations of COL18A1 (10 ng/mL; 100 ng/mL; 200 ng/mL). At the end of the treatments, the scaffolds were examined through biochemical, molecular, and histochemical analyses. The results showed that the higher concentration of COL18A1 promotes a fibro-chondrogenic phenotype and improves cellularity index (DNA content, p < 0.001) and cell efficiency (GAGs/DNA ratio, p < 0.01) after 21 days. These data are supported by the molecular analysis of collagen type I (COL1A1, a marker of fibrous-like tissue, p < 0.001), collagen type II (COL2A1, a marker of cartilaginous-like tissue, p < 0.001) and SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9 (SOX9, an early marker of chondrogenicity, p < 0.001), as well as by histological analysis (Safranin-O staining), laying the foundations for future studies evaluating the involvement of 3D endostatin hydrogel scaffolds in the differentiation of avascular tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Canciani
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi, 4, 20161 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Mangiavini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi, 4, 20161 Milano, Italy
| | - Joel Fernando Soares Filipe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Lucia Aidos
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Pallaoro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Peretti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi, 4, 20161 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Pocar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Silvia Clotilde Modina
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Giancamillo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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