title: Dynamic sealing of lung air leaks by the transplantation of tissue engineered cell sheets.
abstract: Current methods including the use of various biological and synthetic sealants are ineffective in the closure of intraoperative air leaks that often occur during cardiothoracic surgeries, resulting in a decreased quality of life for patients. We present the development of a novel lung air leak sealant using tissue engineered cell sheets. In contrast to previous materials such as fibrin glue, these bioengineered cell sheets immediately and permanently seal air leaks in a dynamic fashion that allows for the extensive tissue contraction and expansion involved in respiration, without any postoperative recurrences. Additionally, we demonstrate that mesothelial cells migrate to cover the transplanted cells sheets, thereby confirming excellent biocompatibility and integration with the host tissues. Finally, we present the use of skin fibroblasts as an effective and readily available autologous cell source that can be easily applied. This study shows for the first time, the development of an immediate and permanent lung air leak sealant, suitable for future clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery I, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamato
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sekine
authors.forename: Chinatsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kohno
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatakeyama
authors.forename: Tamami
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Isaka
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okano
authors.forename: Takamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onuki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000637:transplantation*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D011923:Rats, Nude; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome