A Mechanically Functional Collagen-Based Construct Designed as a Meniscus Substitute

In this study, a novel 5-layered meniscus scaffold, constituted of 3 different collagen-based foams interspaced with two electrospun nano/microfibrous mats, was designed to mimic the mechanical and physical properties of the natural meniscus. The top layer was a collagen-chondroitin sulfate-hyaluronic acid (Coll-CS-HA) foam. The middle and bottom layers were collagen foams which had different porosities and compressive properties. The aligned mats in between the foams were a blend of collagen and poly(L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid). For the 5-layered construct, the compressive, tensile and shear moduli were 445 KPa, 3 MPa and 194 KPa, respectively. In dry state, the construct possessed higher compressive and shear properties than the natural tissue but the tensile properties were much lower. The mechanical properties are expected to be improved when the cells are seeded on the scaffold by their secretion of collagen and GAG.