The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee, often requiring
orthopedic reconstruction using autograft or allograph tissue, both with significant disadvantages. As a result,
tissue engineering an ACL replacement graft has been heavily investigated. This study attempts to replicate
the morphology and mechanical properties of the ACL using a nanomatrix composite of highly-aligned
poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers with various surface and biochemical modifications. Additionally, this study
attempts to recreate the natural mineralization gradient found at the ACL enthesis onto the scaffold, capable
of inducing a favorable cellular response in vitro. Furthering the development of the PLA nanomatrix
composite, a bioinkjet printer was used to immobilize nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite (HANP) on the surface
of the scaffold. The results of studies assessing the proliferation and differentiation response of human
mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro with a variety of conditions and combinations of the PLA nanofiber
scaffold surface modifications will be presented.
https://mediaspace.gatech.edu/media/uehlin/1_wrjaa8o2