Tissue reactions to collagen scaffolds in the oral mucosa and skin of rats: environmental and mechanical factors.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the tissue reactions to implanted collagen scaffolds in the palate and the skin of rats.


METHODS
Crosslinked collagen scaffolds were implanted submucoperiosteally in the palate, and subcutaneously on the skull and on the back of 25 rats and evaluated after up to 16 weeks. On H&E-stained sections, the cell density and the number of giant cells within the scaffolds were determined. Blood vessels, inflammatory cells, and myofibroblasts were detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
A faster ingrowth of myofibroblasts and blood vessels in the palate was found during the first week compared with the skin. A more severe inflammatory response was initially found in the back skin. Furthermore, about twice as much giant cells were present in these scaffolds.


CONCLUSIONS
The oral environment seems to promote the ingrowth of myofibroblasts and blood vessels into the scaffolds. Mechanical stimuli seem to enhance the initial inflammatory response. Overall, the scaffolds were gradually integrated within the host tissue, eliciting only a transient inflammatory response. The scaffolds were biocompatible and are promising for future applications in oral surgery.
Jansen
Richard G
RG
Department of Orthodontics and Oral Biology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen 6500 HB, The Netherlands.
van Kuppevelt
Toin H
TH
Daamen
Willeke F
WF
Kuijpers-Jagtman
Anne Marie
AM
Von den Hoff
Johannes W
JW
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000166:cytology; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010159:Palate / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024042:Collagen Type I