Autologous myoblasts attenuate atrophy and improve tongue force in a denervated tongue model: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Autologous muscle-derived stem cell (MdSC) therapy is a promising treatment to restore function. No group has evaluated MdSC therapy in a denervated tongue model. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to determine the extent of autologous MdSC survival, effects on tongue muscle atrophy, maximal contractile force, and lingual pressure in a denervated ovine tongue model.


METHODS
Pilot animal experiment.


METHODS
Bilateral implantable cuff electrodes were placed around the hypoglossal nerves in two Dorper cross ewes. Tensometer and high-resolution manometry (HRM) testing were performed during supermaximum hypoglossal nerve stimulation to assess baseline tongue strength. Sternocleidomastoid muscle biopsies were acquired to create autologous MdSC cultures. At 1 month, 5 × 10(8) green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled autologous MdSCs were injected into the partially denervated tongue. Two-months postinjection, lingual tensometer testing, HRM, and postmortem histological assessment were performed.


RESULTS
GFP+ myofibers were identified in denervated tongue specimens indicating MdSC survival. Muscle fiber diameter was larger in GFP+ fibers for both tongue specimens, suggesting attenuation of muscle atrophy. Myofiber diameter was larger in GFP+ myofibers than preinjury diameters, providing evidence of new muscle formation. These myogenic changes led to a 27% increase in maximal tongue contractile force and a 54% increase in maximum base of tongue pressure in one animal.


CONCLUSIONS
Autologous MdSC therapy may be a viable treatment for the partially denervated tongue, with current findings demonstrating that injected MdSCs survived and fused with tongue myofibers, with a resultant increase in myofiber diameter and an increase in tongue strength.


METHODS
N/A.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
Emily K
EK
Plowman
Khadijeh
K
Bijangi-Vishehsaraei
Stacey
S
Halum
Daniel
D
Cates
Helmut
H
Hanenberg
Amanda S
AS
Domer
Jan A
JA
Nolta
Peter C
PC
Belafsky
D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D023421:Models, Animal; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D053580:Muscle Strength; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000637:transplantation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012756:Sheep; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
Stem cells; autologous; denervated tongue; dysphagia; muscle-derived stem cells; myoblast; myofibers; oropharyngeal dysphagia; satellite cells; tongue; tongue paralysis