Tracheal defect repair using a PLGA-collagen hybrid scaffold reinforced by a copolymer stent with bFGF-impregnated gelatin hydrogel.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the regenerated cartilage in tracheal defect repair and compared the bio-materials used versus native trachea using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-impregnated gelatin hydrogel.


METHODS
A full-thickness anterior defect was created in the cervical trachea of 15 experimental rabbits. The defect was implanted with a hybrid scaffold of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) knitted mesh and collagen sponge. The implanted trachea was reinforced with a copolymer stent of polycaprolactone and poly(lactic acid) coarse fiber mesh. A gelatin hydrogel was used for providing a sustained release of bFGF. The reconstructed tracheas were divided into three groups with wrapped materials; without gelatin hydrogel (control group, n = 5), a gelatin hydrogel with saline (gelatin group, n = 5), and a gelatin hydrogel with 100 microg of bFGF (bFGF group, n = 5). One of the five rabbits in each group at 1 month after operation, one at 3 months, and three at 6 months were killed and the engineered tracheas were evaluated histologically. Biomechanical properties were evaluated on samples at 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
The rigid support in the defect portion was maintained during 6 months postoperatively. The newly regenerated cartilages were recognized between the host cartilage stumps at 3 months postoperatively in the bFGF group, and limited new cartilage growth and epithelialization were observed at 6 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The experiment shows that using bFGF, better mechanical strength was obtained but with poor cartilage growth.
Tatekawa
Yukihiro
Y
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences and University Hospital, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan. tatekawa3966@diary.ocn.ne.jp
Kawazoe
Naoki
N
Chen
Guoping
G
Shirasaki
Yoshio
Y
Komuro
Hiroaki
H
Kaneko
Michio
M
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002356:Cartilage / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005780:Gelatin; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D015607:Stents; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005780:Gelatin; D003094:Collagen