Injectable cell scaffold to repair torn meniscus
Bioactive Injectable Cell Scaffold for Meniscus Injury Repair in a Large Animal Model
An injectable gel carrying repair cells and healing molecules is being developed to help people with torn meniscus heal better and lower the chance of later knee arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169039 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a fibrin-based injectable gel called FibroGel that carries cartilage-derived progenitor cells plus two bioactive molecules (SDF-1 and kartogenin) to keep the cells at the tear and encourage cartilage-like matrix production. They will optimize the gel composition and cell dosing and then test its ability to bridge and reunify meniscal tears in a clinically relevant large animal model. The team will measure tear healing, knee cartilage health to track post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and collect biocompatibility and safety data. These preclinical results are intended to support future human trials if the approach shows safety and improved healing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Eventually, adults with recent symptomatic meniscal tears who want improved healing and reduced risk of knee osteoarthritis would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with long-standing, irreparable meniscus loss or advanced knee osteoarthritis are unlikely to benefit from this repair-focused therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the treatment could promote true meniscus repair, reduce the need for repeat surgery, and lower the risk of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis.
How similar studies have performed: Related small-animal studies using cartilage-derived progenitor cells and bioactive scaffolds showed promising meniscus healing, but this exact combination has not yet been proven in large animals or humans.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jayasuriya, Chathuraka Teekshana — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jayasuriya, Chathuraka Teekshana
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.