The utilization of decellularized tendon slices to provide an inductive microenvironment for the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of stem cells

The extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment for the stem cell niches, including but not limited to the biochemical composition, matrix topography, and stiffness, is crucial to stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The purpose of this study was to explore the capacity of the decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) to induce stem cell proliferation and tenogenic differentiation. Rat adult stem cells, including tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) and bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs), were identified to have universal stem cell characteristics. The DTSs were found to retain the native tendon ECM microenvironment cues, including the inherent surface topography, well-preserved tendon ECM biochemical composition and similar stiffness to native tendon. When the TDSCs and BMSCs were cultured on the DTSs respectively, the LIVE/DEAD assay, alamarBlue^® assay, scanning electron microscopy examination and qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the DTSs have the capacity to support these stem cells homogeneous distribution, alignment, significant proliferation and tenogenic differentiation. Taken together, the findings of this study indicate that the DTSs can provide a naturally inductive microenvironment for the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs and BMSCs, supporting the use of decellularized tendon ECM as a promising and valuable approach for tendon repair/reconstruction.     

分期手术治疗第1跖趾关节巨大痛风石的临床研究

目的:探讨分期手术治疗第1跖趾关节巨大痛风石的近期临床疗效。方法 :自2015年1月至2016年12月,采用分期手术治疗第1跖趾关节巨大痛风石患者12例,全部为男性;年龄45～73岁;右足6例,左足6例;保守治疗2年以上,双能CT检查明确通风石大小及部位;经X线片检查均可见第1跖趾关节骨质破坏。所有患者Ⅰ期手术行痛风病灶的彻底清除及克氏针临时固定,待局部软组织条件稳定后再行跖趾关节的植骨融合内固定手术。比较手术前后血尿酸含量,患肢畸形矫正及并发症情况,采用VAS评分评价疼痛缓解程度。结果:所有患者顺利完成手术,且获得随访,时间9～13个月。12例患者VAS评分由术前的6～9分降低至术后7周的0～1分;血尿酸含量由术前的443～501μmol/L降低至术后7周的307～330μmol/L;术后5～7个月足部第1跖趾关节畸形矫正、外形恢复。术后1例发生切口感染、皮缘坏死,经清创及换药处理后切口愈合。结论:分期手术治疗足部第1跖趾关节巨大痛风石,可矫正关节畸形,恢复第1跖趾关节外形,改善患足疼痛,有利于控制血尿酸含量,且并发症少。