Stem Cell Bioengineering for ACL Reconstruction - Phase 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stem Cell Bioengineering for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
IRAS ID
75519
Contact name
Rachel Oldershaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major ligament within the knee which functions to stabilise the joint. The ACL is highly vulnerable to rupture following injury to the knee and requires surgical reconstruction to restore normal knee function. The protracted healing phase following this procedure impacts heavily on patients by limiting participation in recreational and occupation-related physical activities and elevating the risk of developing chronic degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. This research project seeks to investigate the potential for adult stem cell populations to be used as a means of accelerating and enhancing the repair process which will ultimately lead to improved patient health and quality of life.
The blood which accumulates within the knee joint following injury is termed haemarthrosis fluid (HF) and is aspirated from the joint as the first clinical intervention to reduce pain and swelling. The HF is then discarded as clinical waste. In our feasibility study we demonstrated that this HF is rich in adult stem cell populations which can be amplified to clinically significant cell numbers and differentiated into functional cell types relevant to our proposed therapy.In the next pre-clinical phase of the project we will further characterise the stem cells derived from HF to understand if they will be safe for human application. This research will include refining methodologies for the robust isolation and culture of stem cell populations, characterisation of changes within the stem cell population during culture expansion in the laboratory and the investigation of appropriate materials with which to combine the stem cells to facilitate clinical use. Analyses will evaluate the effects of laboratory processing on the stem cells including health and vitality, differentiation potential, the ability of the cells to mitigate immune responses, chromosomal stability and tumour forming potential and the generation of adverse toxic effects.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
14/WS/1108
Date of REC Opinion
13 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion