Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference 

October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota

Engineered 3D Scaffold with Regenerative Potential for ACL Healing

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries remain a significant clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the tissue and the limitations of current grafts and scaffolds. Many conventional approaches fail to provide adequate vascularization and mechanical support, which are critical for long-term repair and functional recovery. In this study, a biomimetic three-dimensional scaffold was developed and systematically evaluated to address these challenges. The construct was assessed for its structural organization and mechanical performance under conditions relevant to the joint environment, ensuring that it can withstand physiologically relevant forces. To enhance mechanical stability, absorbable fibers with different reinforcement designs were embedded within the scaffold. The biological potential of the scaffold was further explored through co-culture experiments with endothelial and mesenchymal stem cells, demonstrating its ability to support vascular network formation and extracellular matrix deposition. These results highlight the scaffold’s capability to provide both structural and biological cues that are essential for ligament regeneration. Overall, the findings indicate that the engineered scaffold possesses favorable mechanical and biological properties, supporting its potential as a next-generation strategy for improving ACL repair and promoting effective tissue regeneration.