DNA analysis of a transplanted cryopreserved meniscal allograft

Meniscal transplantation is frequently performed in young patients with a s ingle meniscal-deficient compartment as a result of previous total meniscec tomy. Indications, operative techniques, and preservation of meniscal allog rafts have been studied extensively. In this study We compared the DNA prof ile of a meniscal allograft with that of the human recipient 1 year after t ransplantation. Applying techniques routinely used in forensic analysis, we were able to show that the DNA profile of the meniscal allograft was 95% i dentical to that of the human recipient. These findings indicate that 1 yea r after transplantation the meniscal allograft is nearly completely repopul ated by host cells.