Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Rabbit Model Using a Decellularized Allogenic Semitendinous Tendon Combined with Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

As a regular adoptable material for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, free tendon allograft exhibits unsatisfactory outcomes, such as retarded ligamentization and tendon–bone integration. The application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), as well as a decellularized free tendon allograft developed by our group, was proven to be effective in improving ACL reconstruction results. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of decellularized allogenic semitendinous tendon (ST) combined with autologous BMSCs used as a substitute to free tendon allograft in a rabbit model. This study finally shows that the decellularized allogenic ST combined with autologous BMSCs could significantly improve ACL reconstruction results compared with allograft. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:971–982Significance StatementFree tendon allograft exhibits unsatisfactory outcomes, such as retarded ligamentization and tendon–bone integration. The application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, as well as a decellularized free tendon allograft developed by the authors, was proven to be effective in improving anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction results.