Terapia celular en lesiones meniscales : un estudio en grandes animales. Segunda parte

The present study analyzes the potential of a cell-based therapy to repair the avascular area of the meniscus in a large animal model. Articular chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from cartilage fragments harvested from Yorkshire pigs. Cells were seeded onto meniscal slices, used as scaffold. Bucket-handle lesions were made in 12 animals, and then repaired by interposition and suture of the scaffold seeded with autologous cells (group A: 3 animals). Three control groups were prepared. In group B, lesions were treated by the interposition of unseeded scaffold. In group C, lesions were treated with a simple suture. In group D, lesions were left untreated. Animals were slaughtered after 9 weeks and menisci were analyzed macroscopically and histologically. Results showed good integration in several areas between the seeded scaffold and the lesion margins in the experimental group A animal. On the other hand, no signs of repair were noted in the control samples.