title: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Vocal Fold Scarring: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Therapy with mesenchymal stem cells exhibits potential for the development of novel interventions for many diseases and injuries. The use of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative therapy for vocal fold scarring exhibited promising results to reduce stiffness and enhance the biomechanical properties of injured vocal folds. This study evaluated the biomechanical effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of vocal fold scarring.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled studies that assessed the biomechanical effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of vocal fold scarring were included. Primary outcomes were viscoelastic properties and mucosal wave amplitude.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven preclinical animal studies (n = 152 single vocal folds) were eligible for inclusion. Evaluation of viscoelastic parameters revealed a decreased dynamic viscosity (η') and elastic modulus (G'), i.e., decreased resistance and stiffness, in scarred vocal folds treated with mesenchymal stem cells compared to non-treated scarred vocal folds. Mucosal wave amplitude was increased in scarred vocal folds treated with mesenchymal stem cells vs. non-treated scarred vocal folds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results from these studies suggest an increased regenerative effect of therapy with mesenchymal stem cells for scarred vocal folds and are encouraging for further clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Vibe Lindeblad
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Wingstrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4524-8291
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grønhøj Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bork
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sebbesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balle
authors.affiliation: Cell Therapy Facility, Blood Bank, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fischer-Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Buchwald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology*