Aim
To mimic the ultrastructural morphology of the meniscus with nanofiber scaffolds coupled with controlled growth factor delivery to modulate cellular performance for tissue engineering of menisci.
Conclusion
The authors' results indicate that functionalizing collagen nanofibers can create a cell-favorable micro- and nanoenvironment and can serve as a system for sustained release of bioactive factors.
Methods
The authors functionalized collagen nanofibers by conjugating heparin to the following growth factors for sustained release: PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and CTGF.
Results
Incorporating growth factors increased human meniscal and synovial cell viability, proliferation and infiltration in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo; upregulated key genes involved in meniscal extracellular matrix synthesis and enhanced generation of meniscus-like tissue.