Collagen expression and biomechanical response to human recombinant transforming growth factor beta (rhTGF-β2) in the healing rabbit MCL

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic research 2002-03, Vol.20 (2), p.318-324
• Main Authors: Spindler, K.P, Dawson, J.M, Stahlman, G.C, Davidson, J.M, Nanney, L.B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Collagen Type I - biosynthesis; Collagen Type I - genetics; Disease Models, Animal; Elasticity - drug effects; Hindlimb - drug effects; Hindlimb - metabolism; Hindlimb - physiopathology; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Knee Injuries - drug therapy; Knee Injuries - metabolism; Knee Injuries - physiopathology; Male; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee - drug effects; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee - metabolism; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee - physiopathology; Rabbits; Range of Motion, Articular - drug effects; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta - therapeutic use; Transforming Growth Factor beta2; Weight-Bearing; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0736-0266; 1554-527X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0736-0266(01)00107-3

We investigated biomechanical and collagen expression in a healing bilateral rabbit medial collateral ligament (MCL) model to human recombinant transforming growth factor beta (rhTGF-β2) at three and six weeks. Each rabbit had rhTGF-β2 in a bioabsorbable pellet administered in one side, with the contralateral side serving as control (no rhTGF-β2). All MCL healed with rhTGF-β2 producing a profoundly increased scar mass at three weeks which decreased in size toward control at six weeks. In-situ hybridization demonstrated collagen expression (type I and III) no different than control at three weeks, but by six weeks elevated expression of type I was seen. Biomechanical analysis at three weeks showed no effect of rhTGF-β2 on structural properties. However, at six weeks rhTGF-β2 significantly inhibited both the maximum load ( p