Normal bovine menisci were obtained from fresh bovine knees (Animal Technologies Inc.). To prepare meniscus explants, the avascular region was resected with a scalpel and cut into blocks of approximately 20-mm width. Cylindrical explants, 12-mm in diameter were harvested from the blocks by using a specimen needle and pre-cultured for 2–3 days at 37°C, 5% CO2 until starting the experiment. Human BM-MSCs from 21– 23 years old donors were purchased from Lonza (Walkersville, MD) and cultured in Lonza MSCGM human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth BulletKit Medium (basal media for BM-MSCs).
Human meniscus and synovium were harvested from normal human knee joints. Vascular meniscus, avascular meniscus, and synovium were minced and digested separately with 2% collagenase for 12 hours. Synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SYN-MSCs) and meniscus cells were cultured in DMEM with 10% calf serum (CS), 1% penicillin-streptomycin-glutamine (PSG) (basal media for meniscus cells and SYN-MSCs).
Human meniscus and synovium were harvested from normal human knee joints. Vascular meniscus, avascular meniscus, and synovium were minced and digested separately with 2% collagenase for 12 hours. Synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SYN-MSCs) and meniscus cells were cultured in DMEM with 10% calf serum (CS), 1% penicillin-streptomycin-glutamine (PSG) (basal media for meniscus cells and SYN-MSCs).