Stimulating Meniscus Fibrocartilage Healing by Biologic Cell Therapy
Abstract
Meniscus tearing is a frequently reported on duty injury. A consequence of the physically demanding occupation of active in-the-field military personnel (MP) is that knee meniscus injuries are reported to be 10 times more common in MPs, in comparison with civilians. Tears in the avascular zone (white-white zone) of the meniscus do not heal, and they can increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) in patients. OA is a chronic degenerative joint disease that is currently the second most common reason that Soldiers are forced to retire early from active Service. The applicant Principle Investigator (PI) and his team has recently reported on the therapeutic healing effects of cartilage-derived progenitor cells (CPCs) on damaged meniscal fibrocartilage tissues. The goal of this proposal is to use a large animal model (pig) to test the efficacy of CPC therapy, which has already been shown to stimulate meniscus healing in a small animal model (rat). There are two aims: (1) analyze healing response resulting from CPC-treatment of white-white zone meniscus tears in the pig model; and (2) analyze the extent of OA changes in knee articular cartilage following CPC-treatment of meniscus tears in the pig model. If successful, this research will lay the groundwork necessary for the development of a new and effective strategy for stimulating meniscus tissue healing and preventing the development of post-traumatic OA in human patients. Outcomes of the proposed 3-year study will be used as the first large animal efficacy testing data set in order to secure funding for the next stages of clinical translation, including cellular cytotoxicity testing, dosing, and long-term efficacy testing. This research is poised to change the current paradigm in patient care standards for meniscus injury repair.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010773
Entities
People
- Chathuraka Jayasuriya
Organizations
- Rhode Island Hospital
- United States Army