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The iliotibial band (ITB) is a suitable scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, providing a sufficient mechanical resistance to loading. Hence, ITB-derived fibroblasts attract interest for ligament tissue engineering but have so far not been characterized. This present study aimed at characterizing ITB fibroblasts before, during, and after emigration from cadaveric ITB explants to decipher the emigration behavior and to utilize their migratory capacity for seeding biomaterials. ITB and, for comparison, ACL tissues were assessed for the content of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expressing fibroblasts and degeneration. The cell survival and αSMA expression were monitored in explants used for cell isolation, monolayer, self-assembled ITB spheroids, and spheroids seeded in polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds. The protein expression profile of targets typically expressed by ligamentocytes (collagen types I-III, elastin, lubricin, decorin, aggrecan, fibronectin, tenascin C, CD44, β1-integrins, vimentin, F-actin, αSMA, and vascular endothelial growth factor A [VEGFA]) was compared between ITB and ACL fibroblasts. A donor- and age-dependent differing percentage of αSMA positive cells could be detected, which was similar in ITB and ACL tissues despite the grade of degeneration being significantly higher in the ACL due to harvesting them from OA knees. ITB fibroblasts survived for several months in an explant culture, continuously forming monolayers with VEGFA and an increased αSMA expression. They shared their expression profile with ACL fibroblasts. αSMA decreased during the monolayer to spheroid/scaffold transition. Using self-assembled spheroids, the migratory capacity of reversible myofibroblastic ITB cells can be utilized for colonizing biomaterials for ACL tissue engineering and to support ligament healing., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Objective: To study the biocompatibility of extracellular matrix (ECM) of homologous fascia lata, so as to identify whether this material can be used in repair of renal trauma., Methods: The fascia latae of 2 dogs were stripped and underwent treatment of decellularizing liquid, DNAse, RNAse, etc. so as to produce ECM. Twenty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to be injected with the extractive liquid of the ECM or normal saline. 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours later the mice were observed so as to examine the toxicity of the ECM. Mouse fibroblasts of the line L929 were cultured. ECM was added into the suspension of the cells, and 2, 4, and 7 days later the relative growth rate (RGR) of the cells was observed by MTT method. The left kidneys of 10 dogs were cut by knife so as to establish kidney injury models, and the wounds were covered by prepared ECM pieces immediately. 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 2, and 4 months after the operation respectively the dogs were killed and light microscopy and electron microscopy were conducted to observe the condition of the wounds., Results: No abnormal situation was found in the mice after the extractive liquids of the ECM was injected into their bodies at any time point. MTT method showed that no obvious cytotoxicity was seen in the L292 cells, the RGR levels 2, 4, and 7 days were 112%, 96%, and 97% respectively, and the cytotoxic grade were 0, 1, and 1 respectively. No obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells into the local site of renal repair could be seen, only mild adhesion to the surrounding tissues was found at different time-points after operation., Conclusion: With good biocompatibility, ECM of homologous fascia lata may be used as an ideal tissue-engineering material for renal repair.

Object: Allogenic human fascia lata used in neurosurgery, as dura mater substitute, can be associated with a risk of viral and bacterial transmission. Chemical and physical procedures, developed to inactivate virus and bacteria, have been applied to fascia lata. The aim of this study consists in the evaluation of the biological properties of this treated graft., Methods: Grafts were treated with solvent detergents, freeze-dried for conservation and gamma irradiated (25,000 Gy) for sterilization. The indirect toxicity evaluation was performed by extraction method, according to the International Standard Organization (ISO). First, the cytotoxic effect of each extracts incubated in the presence of human fibroblasts (WI38) was quantitatively assessed by measuring the cell growth, the viability (succinate dehydrogenase activity, MTT), the membrane integrity (uptake of the neutral red by viable cells, NR) as well as the release of lactate dehydrogenase in the culture medium. Second, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to assess the direct contact between human primary fibroblasts and graft. CLSM was performed at days 3 and 7 after cells loading., Results: No acute cytotoxicity was observed for chemically processed allografts. Cells loaded on the graft have demonstrated a good growth and spreading., Conclusions: Human fascia lata secured against conventional and non-conventional agents is a fully biocompatible alternative to the available dural graft materials.

Purpose: To reduce antigenicity of allografts and stimulate their replacement by natural recipient tissues., Methods: Experimental allotransplantation of different tissues (fascias, tendons, derma, fat, etc.) with histological, histochemical, electron microscopical, electron histochemical examination 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 360 days postoperatively., Results: Allografts of different tissues with glucosaminoglycans extracted from collagen fibers have low antigenicity and can be replaced by natural tissues. Allografts with these properties were named 'Alloplant'., Conclusions: Alloplant biomaterials can selectively stimulate natural tissue regeneration. Hence, Alloplant biomaterials can be utilized in surgery for the restoration of different tissues.

Cardiovascular calcification, the formation of calcium phosphate deposits in cardiovascular tissue, is a common end-stage phenomenon affecting a wide variety of bioprostheses. To study the process of calcification in tissue prosthetics, glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium, dura mater and fascialata were implanted subcutaneously in rats and retrieved 21 days later and thereby morphological findings were correlated with biochemically determined levels of calcium. Transmission electron microscopy showed that calcification primarily involved the surface of collagen fibrils and the interfibrillar spaces. The deposition of calcium was higher with dura and fascia prostheses compared to pericardium. However, the release of Fe3+ ions from chitosan matrix had substantially inhibited the deposits of calcium in all implanted tissues. It seems that the structural and anatomical features of the tissue is one of the important factors for tissue-associated calcification. It is also confirmed that glutaraldehyde-preserved pericardium is the most suitable material for the development of cardiac prosthesis, with an appropriate drug combination therapy for prevention of pathological calcification.

Mice with induced tumours of mouse sarcoma M(52)B were treated by injections of extract of bovine fascia lata from two animals which had been inoculated with a mixture of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina--in one case 6 weeks previously and in the second case 8 weeks previously. As a control a further series of mice was injected with an extract of bovine fascia lata taken from a splenectomized animals reared in the laboratory to ensure that it had not come into contact with ticks and was free of Babesia.