Novel and simple method for isolating autologous mesothelial cells from the tunica vaginalis.
OBJECTIVE
To report the development of a new method of isolating autologous mesothelial cells from the tunica vaginalis that are easily obtained and generally free from the effects of abdominal cancer, and to investigate whether transplanting these mesothelial cells is effective in preventing postoperative adhesions.


METHODS
The tunica vaginalis was resected from male Lewis rats, and mesothelial cells were collected by enzymatic disaggregation. To investigate the efficacy of mesothelial cells in preventing adhesion, harvested cells were transplanted into a rat intestinal hernia adhesion model.


RESULTS
Cells isolated from the tunica vaginalis were homogenous, polygonal when confluent, expressed cytokeratin and vimentin, and the cell surface was covered with microvilli, which is the characteristic appearance of endogenous mesothelial cells. The transplantation of autologous mesothelial cell sheets reduced peritoneal adhesion.


CONCLUSIONS
We developed a new method of obtaining autologous mesothelial cells from the tunica vaginalis. These cells may provide a valuable option for treating patients at risk of postoperative adhesions.
Asano
Touko
T
Department of Urology, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. touko.uro@tmd.ac.jp
Takazawa
Ryoji
R
Yamato
Masayuki
M
Kageyama
Yukio
Y
Kihara
Kazunori
K
Okano
Teruo
T
D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous