Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine have created a new 3D-printed hydrogel derived from cow meniscus that could improve treatment options for meniscus tears. The pre-clinical study, published in Bioactive Materials, demonstrates how this customizable hydrogel can be adjusted to match the specific properties of different areas within the meniscus. This adaptability addresses a key limitation of current treatments, which often fail to account for the tissue’s varying biochemical and biomechanical properties.
“We developed a hydrogel that can be adjusted based on the patient’s age and the stiffness requirements of the injured tissue, which is important because the meniscus has different biochemical and biomechanical properties that vary depending upon the location in the tissue,” said Dr. Su Chin Heo, the study’s senior author and assistant professor at Penn. The team created the hydrogel by extracting proteins from donor cow meniscus, then removing cellular components to reduce rejection risks.
The researchers utilized 3D printing technology to account for variations in meniscus tissue, allowing for more precise matching to the repair area. This approach addresses a significant challenge in meniscus treatment, as mismatched tissues often fail to heal properly. The team’s animal studies have shown promising results with good integration between the hydrogel and surrounding tissue.
“In our animal studies, we’ve seen the hydrogel integrate well with the surrounding tissue, potentially offering patients a more complete recovery,” said Dr. Se-Hwan Lee, the study’s first author. “It’s a more precise, biologically matched solution. We believe this could outperform current treatments.”
The research team is now advancing to large animal models, with initial clinical applications focused on smaller, localized meniscus tears. The study received support from multiple organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and several South Korean research institutes.
Source: pennmedicine.org