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Abstract

Implantable biomimetic ligaments suitable for use in ligament replacement, including, but not limited to, that of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are provided. The replacement implants consist of a biocompatible degradable polymeric scaffold seeded with mesenchymal stem cells (or a combination of different phenotypes). The use of materials such as polylactic acid, fibrin, and nanohydroxyapatite particles, area-dependent compositional modifications, surface topography, biochemical manipulations, and selective growth environments in vitro, allows the scaffold to be populated with the cells mimetic of the native tissue. The mechanical properties of the scaffold support the development of subchondral bone, mineralized fibrocartilage, non-mineralized fibrocartilage, and the ligament proper. The scaffold can be rolled up, transitioning the two-dimensional planar scaffold to a three-dimensional graft for implantation.

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