title: Tissue-engineered fascia from vaginal fibroblasts for patients needing reconstructive pelvic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mesh-augmented reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) does not meet clinical expectations. A tissue-engineered fascia equivalent needs to be developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human vaginal fibroblasts (HVFs) from 10 patients were characterized in vitro. Eligible HVFs and a biodegradable scaffold were used to fabricate a fascia equivalent, which was then transplanted in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cultured HVFs were divided into high (n = 6) or low (n = 4) collagen I/III ratio groups. Cells of the high-ratio group exhibited significantly higher proliferation potential than those of the low-ratio group (P < 0.05). A fascia equivalent was made with HVFs of the high-ratio group. In the subsequent animal study, a well-organized neo-fascia formation containing HVFs could be traced up to 12 weeks after transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that a tissue-engineered fascia could be developed from HVFs in vitro and in vivo, which might be an effective treatment for POP in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Man-Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Mei-Chin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Chia-Nung
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Esther Shih-Chu
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Gin-Den
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Vivian Cheng
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005205:Fascia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology*