ABSTRACT
Objective To study the type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅹcollag e n expression in meniscus and articular cartilage and immunoreactions post xenoge nic and allogenic meniscus transplantation. Methods After men iscectomy,30 adult New Zealand white rabbits were divded into two groups:group A undertook allogenic medial meniscus transplantation and group B undertook xenog enic meniscus transplantation with fitted meniscus tissues harvested from swine. 6, 12 and 24 weeks post transplantation, the histological and immunohistochemical analysis of type Ⅰ ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅹ collagens monoclonal antibody were investigated in menisci and a rticular cartilage. Peripheral blood were obtained for immunoreactions study thr o ugh the methods of CDMT (Complement Dependent Microlymphocytotoxicity Test) and RIA (Radioimmunoassay)of IL-2 and IL-6. Results The meniscu s and articular cartilage were good post allogenic meniscus transplantation, but the transplanted xenogenic meniscus appeared to be dissolved and absorbed and c art ilage lesions were observed in 24 week post operation. No significant difference was found between two groups in type Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ collagen expression during e xperiment. From 1～12 weeks, no significant diffe rence was found among type Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ collagen expression in articular cartil age in two groups. However,24 weeks post operation, type Ⅹ collagen's expressio n in cartilage was abnormally increased. Neither allogenic nor xenogenic meniscu s transplantation caused fatal immunoreaction during the whole experiment. Con clusion The transplantation meniscus began to be dissolved and absorbed after half a year, but allogenic meniscus transplantation achieved good results . Type Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ collagen expression in transplanted meniscus and articular cartilage showed no difference between two groups, but the expression of type Ⅹ collagen was abnormally increased in xenogenic group 24 weeks post operation. No fatal immunoreaction was found in both groups.