Application of the Combination of Decelluarized Extracellular Matrix Grafted by Graphene and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrates on the Healing of Partial Tear of Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Introduction: The partial tear of anterior cruciate ligament (PT of ACL) usually happens due to excessive tension force that causes external rotation of the knee. The PT of ACL is generally treated by the conservative treatment or the use of self-healing ability to recover itself. However, the approaches spend too much time for ACL healing and cause the inconvenient for patients. Apart for those problems, the approaches also easily cause the fibrosis problem, i.e. scar tissue formation and tendon strength insufficient. According to tissue engineering technology, we will develop the graphene grated decellularized extracellular matrix sponge membrane to improve the biomechanical properties and further to combine the bone marrow aspirate concentrate for repairing the PT of ACL. It would be an innovating potential approach and practically in clinic. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study are to fabricate a proper decellularized extracellular matrix for the healing of the PT of ACL and to realize the properties of bone marrow aspirate concentrate. In addition, the combination of decellularized extracellular matrix and the bone marrow aspirate concentrate to repair the PT of ACL and further to reduce the scar tissue formation are our goal. Design of the study: First year: To develop the graphene grafted decellularized extracellular matrix sponge membrane and further to discuss the correlation between tenogenic potential and the modified matrix. In addition, isolation, identification and preparation of bone marrow aspirate concentrate is also our target and then to discuss the correlation effects between the modified matrix and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. Second year: Evaluate the expression of graphene grafted decellularized extracellular matrix sponge membrane in a nude mice model and to further discuss the repair mechanism of bone marrow aspirate and the modified matrix on the PT of ACL by a dynamic cyclic stretch culture system - an ex vivo study. Third year: develop a rabbit mode for the healing of the PT of ACL. The outcome of ligament healing is evaluated by histology, immune-histology and bio mechanical analysis. Clinical relevance: We expect that the rabbit model experiment of the PT of ACL by the combination of decellularized extracellular matrix and bone marrow aspirate concentrate will obtain the important information, including the changes in histology and molecular biology, and biomechanical strength after healing treatment. If it is working, the cell therapy and tissue engineering are utilized to promote the healing of ligament when clinical doctors want to cure the PT of ACL or other ligament. After that patients can accept recovery training as soon as possible, and return to normal kinetism.