Meniscal fibrocartilage regeneration inspired by meniscal maturational and regenerative process

Sci Adv. 2023 Nov 10;9(45):eadg8138. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8138. Epub 2023 Nov 8.

Abstract

Meniscus is a complex and crucial fibrocartilaginous tissue within the knee joint. Meniscal regeneration remains to be a scientific and translational challenge. We clarified that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) participated in meniscal maturation and regeneration using MSC-tracing transgenic mice model. Here, inspired by meniscal natural maturational and regenerative process, we developed an effective and translational strategy to facilitate meniscal regeneration by three-dimensionally printing biomimetic meniscal scaffold combining autologous synovium transplant, which contained abundant intrinsic MSCs. We verified that this facilitated anisotropic meniscus-like tissue regeneration and protected cartilage from degeneration in large animal model. Mechanistically, the biomechanics and matrix stiffness up-regulated Piezo1 expression, facilitating concerted activation of calcineurin and NFATc1, further activated YAP-pSmad2/3-SOX9 axis, and consequently facilitated fibrochondrogenesis of MSCs during meniscal regeneration. In addition, Piezo1 induced by biomechanics and matrix stiffness up-regulated collagen cross-link enzyme expression, which catalyzed collagen cross-link and thereby enhanced mechanical properties of regenerated tissue.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Fibrocartilage / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Meniscus* / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Animal

Substances

  • Collagen
  • Piezo1 protein, mouse
  • Ion Channels