Migrating Myofibroblastic Iliotibial Band-Derived Fibroblasts Represent a Promising Cell Source for Ligament Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT: The iliotibial band (ITB) is a suitable scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, providing a sufficient mechanical resistance to loading. Hence, ITB-derived fibroblasts attract interest for ligament tissue engineering but have so far not been characterized. This present study aimed at characterizing ITB fibroblasts before, during, and after emigration from cadaveric ITB explants to decipher the emigration behavior and to utilize their migratory capacity for seeding biomaterials. ITB and, for comparison, ACL tissues were assessed for the content of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expressing fibroblasts and degeneration. The cell survival and αSMA expression were monitored in explants used for cell isolation, monolayer, self-assembled ITB spheroids, and spheroids seeded

SUBMITTER: Schwarz S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6514966 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature