The Cell-Material Interaction in the Replacement and Regeneration of the Meniscus: A Mini-Review

Abstract

The meniscus is a part of the knee joint consisting of a medial and lateral component between the femoral condyles and the tibial plateau. Meniscal tears usually happen in younger and active people due to sports or daily activities. Some approaches are chosen for meniscus replacement and regeneration from the problems above, such as meniscal repair, meniscal allograft transplantation, gene therapy techniques, and tissue engineering techniques. Biomaterials and tissue engineering have a primary role in meniscus regeneration and replacement. The cell-material interactions are influenced by the biomaterials' design, structure, and composition to promote the growth o meniscus tissue. This study aims to give a brief review of the cell-material interaction in the replacement and regeneration process of the meniscus. Based on several studies, the use of growth factors in the meniscal regeneration and replacement could modulate and promote angiogenesis, differentiation, and cell migration beneficial in the repair process of the meniscus. Furthermore, combining the Mesenchymal Stem Cells and growth factors in healing the meniscal tears could be one of the best approaches to obtaining the new tissue resembling the meniscal tissue. The follow-up and long-term studies in meniscus regeneration and replacement are needed and recommended, especially implanting with good chondroprotective and long-term evaluation to obtain the best properties similar to the natural meniscus.