The effect of fibrin formulation on cell migration in an in vitro tendon repair model

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fibrinogen concentration on cell viability and migration in a tissue culture tendon healing model. Methods: Forty-eight canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were randomly divided into three groups. In each group the tendons were lacerated and repaired augmented with a canine bone marrow stromal cell seeded fibrin interposition patch using either 5 mg/ml fibrinogen and 25 U/ml thrombin (physiological as a control), 40 mg/ml fibrinogen and 250 U/ml thrombin (low adhesive), or 80 mg/ml fibrinogen and 250 U/ml thrombin (high adhesive). The sutured tendons were cultured for two or four weeks. Results: Failure load was not significantly different among the groups. Cell-labeling staining showed that the stromal cells migrated across the gap in the control and low adhesive groups, but there was no cell migration in the high adhesive group at two weeks. Conclusion: A high fibrinogen concentration in a fibrin patch or glue may impede early cell migration. Level of evidence: Not applicable because this study was a laboratory study.