Involvement of Scx and Sox-9 positive cells on graft remodeling in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Masuda Tetsuro 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 助教 (20794530)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 前十字靭帯 / Scleraxis / 遺残組織

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A multipotent cell population co-expressing a basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor
scleraxis (Scx) and SRY-box 9 (Sox9) has been expressed in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during mouse embryonic development. We investigate the involvement of Scx+ cells on graft remodeling in ACL reconstruction using ScxGFP transgenic rat. We demonstrate that Scx+ cells are localized in substantial part of graft after ACL reconstruction. Further, Scx+ cell was seen in ACL remnant tissue after ACL injury. Remnant tissue preservation group in ACL reconstruction had significantly higher ultimate load to failure than the resection group at 6weeks after surgery. These findings indicate that Scx+ cell may be able to act as remodeling progenitor-like cells and possibility suggested that preservation of remnant tissue improves biomechanical strength of graft after ACL reconstruction.

Free Research Field

21212

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過去の報告では前十字靭帯（ACL）発生過程においてScx，Sox9陽性細胞が関与することが示されている。本研究ではACL再建術後における移植腱の再構築過程に，Scx陽性細胞が寄与している可能性を示唆させる結果を得た。また、ACL遺残組織にScx陽性細胞が認められ，遺残組織を温存することで早期に移植腱の力学的強度を改善する可能性が示唆された。本結果は, 移植腱の再構築過程の機序を明らかにし, 移植腱の力学的強度の早期回復へ繋がる知見となることが期待できる。