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CTEC Projects :::: Tendon Repair Tendon and ligament connective tissue injuries are by far the most common acute injuries to human joints, and can cause long-term pain and loss of motion and strength in patients of all ages. To date, there has not been a satisfactory method for repairing or replacing tendon and ligament tissue that has been damaged. Synthetic polymer substitutes or scaffolds to facilitate tendon and ligament repair have universally failed thus far. Much greater success has been achieved using tissue-derived scaffolds (allogeneic or xenogeneic), such as small intestine submucosa (SIS) and dermis. These tissues provide an extracellular matrix (ECM) with desirable mechanical properties. Processing (e.g. freezing, washing, solvent extraction, and lyophilization) of the tissues can remove cellular elements and reduce antigenic properties that woulf otherwise lead to rejection. In general, natural ECMs provide temporary mechanical support and their 3-D structure facilitates local cell attachment, cell migration, differentiation and new matrix synthesis resulting in new tissue. The can help encourage the growth of new blood vessels, can be resborbed by the body, and their byproducts are non-toxic. However, the initial strength and stiffness of most natural ECMs investigated to date are far less than native tendon, making them more prone to tearing and reducing range of motion in the patient. ECMs may also undergo rapid remodeling (in days to weeks), limiting their ability to maintain mechanical function until sufficient local tissue is formed. Several ECMs are currently clinically available for reinforcing soft tissues, most commonly during rotator cuff repairs in the shoulder. These products are FDA approved as patches to reinforce tendon repair, but not for primary tendon replacement, because of their limited mechanical strength. Project #8. Enhanced Fascia Lata (FL) Extracellular Matrix for Tendon Tissue Engineering. Investigators: KA Derwin, JP Iannotti, J McCarron, A Calabro, T Bauer |
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