DNA Analysis of a Transplanted Cryopreserved Meniscal Allograft Philippe Debeer, M.D., Ronny Decorte, Ph.D., Sigrun Delvaux, M.D., and Johan Bellemans, M.D., Ph.D. Summary: Meniscal transplantation is frequently performed in young patients with a single meniscal-deficient compartment as a result of previous total meniscectomy. Indications, operative techniques, and preservation of meniscal allografts have been studied extensively. In this study we compared the DNA profile of a meniscal allograft with that of the human recipient 1 year after transplantation. Applying techniques routinely used in forensic analysis, we were able to show that the DNA profile of the meniscal allograft was 95% identical to that of the human recipient. These findings indicate that 1 year after transplantation the meniscal allograft is nearly completely repopulated by host cells. Key Words: Meniscus—Allograft—Meniscal transplantation—DNA analysis—Cryopreserva- tion. M enisci are important in load transmission, shock absorption, lubrication, stabilization, and nutri- tion of the knee joint. 1 They also limit extremes in flexion and extension. 2 Patients who have had previous total meniscectomy or patients who require (near) total meniscectomy for irreparable tears are at risk of developing early degenerative osteoarthrosis. Menis- cal replacement has become a valuable option in the treatment of these patients. Preservation of meniscal allografts can be per- formed by cryopreservation, freezing, or lyophiliza- tion. Fresh meniscal tissue can be transplanted and, recently, a technique for meniscal culturing was de- scribed. 3 Each technique has its specific advantages and disadvantages. 4 It has been suggested that a viable cell population at the time of transplantation might be beneficial to the material properties of the allograft. 3,5-7 However, Jackson et al. 8 showed in goats that the donor DNA of allografts of patellar and anterior cruciate ligaments was completely replaced by recipi- ent DNA 4 weeks after transplantation. Thus, it is not clear whether techniques to maintain donor cell viabil- ity are worthwhile. Cellular repopulation occurs in transplanted menis- cal allograft as part of a remodeling process. 9-12 In this study we compared the DNA profile of a meniscal allograft with that of the recipient 1 year after transplan- tation to find out whether the donor cells are com- pletely replaced by host cells in humans. CASE REPORT A 32-year-old postman had several arthroscopic investigations of the right knee after a soccer injury and ended up with a total lateral meniscectomy in 1993. Subsequently, he developed a grade 3 chondropa- thy of the lateral compartment, according to the classification of Outerbridge. Because of increasing pain, a lateral meniscus transplantation was performed From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospi- tal Pellenberg (P.D., J.B.); the Center for Human Genetics, Human Gene Mutations and Polymorphisms, Katholieke Universitet, Leu- ven, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gasthuisberg, Leuven (R.D.); the Center for Human Genetics and Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, Leuven (P.D.); and the Department of Histopa- thology, University Hospital St-Raphae ¨l, Leuven (S.D.), Belgium. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Philippe Debeer, M.D., Center for Human Genetics, the University of Leuven and Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, U.Z. Gasthuis- berg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.  2000 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America 0749-8063/00/1601-1960$3.00/0 Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 16, No 1 (January-February), 2000: pp 71–75 71