Tracheal reconstruction using chondrocytes seeded on a poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-fibrin/hyaluronan

Abstract

Reconstruction of trachea is still a clinical dilemma. Tissue engineering is a

recent and promising concept to resolve this problem. This study evaluated the

feasibility of allogeneic chondrocytes cultured with fibrin/hyaluronic acid (HA)

hydrogel and degradable porous poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold

for partial tracheal reconstruction. Chondrocytes from rabbit articular cartilage

were expanded and cultured with fibrin/HA hydrogel and injected into a 5 x 10

mm-sized, curved patch-shape PLGA scaffold. After 4 weeks in vitro culture, the

scaffold was implanted on a tracheal defect in eight rabbits. Six and 10 weeks

postoperatively, the implanted sites were evaluated by bronchoscope and

radiologic and histologic analyses. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of regenerated

epithelium was also evaluated. None of the eight rabbits showed any sign of

respiratory distress. Bronchoscopic examination did not reveal stenosis of the

reconstructed trachea and the defects were completely recovered with respiratory

epithelium. Computed tomography scan showed good luminal contour of trachea.

Histologic data showed that the implanted chondrocytes successfully formed

neocartilage with minimal granulation tissue. CBF of regenerated epithelium was

similar to that of normal epithelium. Partial tracheal defect was successfully

reconstructed anatomically and functionally using allogeneic chondrocytes

cultured with PLGA-fibrin/HA composite scaffold.