Cell production in injured vocal folds: a rat study.
OBJECTIVE
Fibroblasts are reported to play an important role in producing the extracellular matrix of the vocal fold. However, no reports have focused on how and where these cells are generated in the vocal fold after injury. To reveal the characteristics of vocal fold cell production, we investigated cell proliferation in the acute phase of wound healing.


METHODS
Using a telescope for guidance, we made an incision in the middle region of the vocal fold tissue in 24 rats and performed immunohistochemical staining for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine.


RESULTS
After injury, epithelialization occurred with a peak at day 1, and fibroblasts proliferated in the lamina propria with a peak at day 3, whereas those in the macula flava did not show any increased proliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that the fibroblasts in the macula flava have functions different from those of fibroblasts in the lamina propria and that the macula flava does not serve as a cell source for the vocal fold in response to injury.
Tateya
Ichiro
I
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, K4-789 CSC, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Tateya
Tomoko
T
Lim
Xinhong
X
Sohn
Jin Ho
JH
Bless
Diane M
DM
D000199:Actins; D000818:Animals; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014746:Vimentin; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000166:cytology* / Q000293:injuries*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine