Anterior cruciate ligament remnant cells have different potentials for cell differentiation based on their location

Abstract

Histological and cytological observations of the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) had been described, but the differentiation potency based on their location is still unknown. To determine and compare proliferation and differentiation potential of cells derived from distal and middle thirds of the ACL remnant, ACL remnant was initially marked at the distal third (within 10  mm from the tibial insertion) and middle third (between 10–20  mm from the tibial insertion) and then dissected. Both the middle and distal third regions of ACL remnant were analyzed using CD34⁺ cell counting. Cell proliferation rate did not differ in both middle and distal third regions of ACL remnant, but they showed different characteristics in cell differentiation depending on their location. The distal third region of the ACL remnant had a tendency for chondrogenic differentiation with higher expression of CD34⁺ cells. On the other hand, the middle third region of ACL remnant had a strong tendency for osteogenic and ligamentous differentiation. Characteristics of the ACL remnant tissues should be considered when performing remnant-preserving or harvesting ACL remnants for tissue engineering.