ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said donated freeze-dried tendon grafts loaded with gene therapy may soon be used to repair injured tendons.
A report, published in the journal Molecular Therapy, said the graft technique may provide the first effective framework around which flexor tendon tissue can reorganize as it heals.
University of Rochester Medical Center researchers found donated, freeze-dried tendons served as effective tissue-engineered scaffolds in testing on mice. The donated tissue also sucked up a solution of gene therapy vectors that directed the recipient's cells to accept the graft and remodel it into living tissue.
"Tendon is very durable," said study author Dr. Regis O'Keefe. "It could conceivably be freeze-dried, thawed and then freeze-dried again without damaging it."
Such tissue-engineering approaches could significantly improve repair of anterior cruciate ligaments and rotator cuffs as well, the report said.
"Orthopedic surgeons have been searching for the perfect material to replace tendon, one with the right mix of strength and elasticity and would not cause adhesion," senior author Hani Awad said. "We believe the only material to meet these strict requirements is non-living, but structurally intact tendon."
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