This study utilizes our established model of elbow pathology to evaluate isolated and synergistic physical and biological treatment strategies. We quantify the therapy effectiveness using our established mechanical testing and biological assays as well as functional assessments of grip strength and gait analysis.
The objective of this work is also to develop biological treatment strategies that target the underlying fibrotic pathology to ultimately prevent elbow contracture.
Treatment with Soft Primed Adipose Stem Cells
Primary adipose stem cells (ASCs) were soft primed for two weeks on a 1 kPa polyacrylamide gel functionalized with fibronectin and then injected into our rat elbow contracture model three days after injury.
Total range-of-motion (ROM) for flexion-extension demonstrated that treatment with soft primed ASCs improved ROM compared to untreated injured limbs and was no longer different compared to control. Study completed in collaboration with Dr. Gretchen Meyer.
Physical Therapy
Modified commercial treadmill for active physical therapy.
Extracellular Matrix Secretion
Primary adipose stem cell nascent extracellular matrix was immunolabeled and quantified for cells grown on soft (1 kPa) and stiff (120 kPa) polyacrylamide gels functionalized with fibronectin.
Biological Treatments
Investigating the effectiveness of various drugs on contracture prevention.
Mechanical Memory
Primary adipose stem cells exhibit mechanical memory following soft priming for two weeks on a 1 kPa polyacrylamide gel functionalized with fibronectin.
Decreased cell area and αSMA positive cells demonstrated a delayed development of a myofibroblast-like phenotype following two weeks of soft priming. Study completed in collaboration with Dr. Gretchen Meyer.
Publications
1. Dunham, C.L., N. Havlioglu, A.M. Chamberlain, S.P. Lake and G.A. Meyer. Adipose stem cells exhibit mechanical memory and reduce fibrotic contracture in a rat elbow injury model. Accepted by FASEB 7/21/2020.