Tissue-engineered fascia from vaginal fibroblasts for patients needing reconstructive pelvic surgery.
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.
Hung
Man-Jung
MJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Wen
Mei-Chin
MC
Hung
Chia-Nung
CN
Ho
Esther Shih-Chu
ES
Chen
Gin-Den
GD
Yang
Vivian Cheng
VC
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*