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Differential cross-linking and radio-protective effects of genipin on mature bovine and human patella tendons

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Abstract

Gamma irradiation is a proven sterilization method, but is not widely used on allografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (e.g., patella tendon) due to radiation-induced decreases in mechanical strength. Addressing this drawback would improve the safety and supply of allografts to meet current and future demand. It was hypothesized that genipin-induced collagen cross-linking would increase the tensile modulus of patella tendon tissue such that 5 MRad gamma irradiation would not reduce the tissue mechanical strength below the original untreated values. Optimized genipin treatment increased the tensile modulus of bovine tendons by ~2.4-fold. After irradiation, genipin treated tissue did not significantly differ from native tissue, proving the hypothesis. Optimized genipin treatment of human tendons increased the tensile modulus by ~1.3-fold. After irradiation, both control and genipin-treated tissues possessed ~50–60% of their native tendon modulus, disproving the hypothesis. These results highlight possible age- and species- dependent effects of genipin cross-linking on tendon tissue. Cross-linking of human allografts may be beneficial only in younger donor tissues. Future research is warranted to better understand the mechanisms and applications of collagen cross-linking for clinical use.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the NIH via apost-doctoral training award (TL1RR024998—KW Ng) and facilities grants for the Hospital for Special Surgery (Core Center AR046121, Research Facilities Improvement Program C06-RR12538-01). Special thanks to Dr. Jo Hannafin, Prof. Clark T. Hung (Columbia University, New York, NY), and Prof. Steven B. Nicoll (City College of New York, New York, NY) for their scientific and clinical advice in data analysis and study design.

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  1. Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Kenneth W. Ng, Florian Wanivenhaus, Tony Chen, Valarian D. Abrams, Peter A. Torzilli, Russell F. Warren & Suzanne A. Maher

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  1. Kenneth W. Ng
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  2. Florian Wanivenhaus
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  3. Tony Chen
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Correspondence to Suzanne A. Maher.

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Ng, K.W., Wanivenhaus, F., Chen, T. et al. Differential cross-linking and radio-protective effects of genipin on mature bovine and human patella tendons. Cell Tissue Bank 14, 21–32 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9295-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9295-3

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