A composite tissue‐engineered trachea using sheep nasal chondrocyte and epithelial cells

Abstract

This study evaluates the feasibility of producing a composite engineered tracheal equivalent composed of cylindrical cartilaginous structures with lumens lined with nasal epithelial cells. Chondrocytes and epithelial cells isolated from sheep nasal septum were cultured in Ham's F12 media. After 2 wk, chondrocyte suspensions were seeded onto a matrix of polyglycolic acid. Cell-polymer constructs were wrapped around silicon tubes and cultured in vitro for 1 wk, followed by implanting into subcutaneous pockets on the backs of nude mice. After 6 wk, epithelial cells were suspended in a hydrogel and injected into the embedded cartilaginous cylinders following removal of the silicon tube. Implants were harvested 4 wk later and analyzed. The morphology of implants resembles that of native sheep trachea. H&E staining shows the presence of mature cartilage and formation of a pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium, with a distinct interface between tissue-engineered cartilage and epithelium. Safranin-O staining shows that tissue-engineered cartilage is organized into lobules with round, angular lacunae, each containing a single chondrocyte. Proteoglycan and hydroxyproline contents are similar to native cartilage. This study demonstrates the feasibility of recreating the cartilage and epithelial portion of the trachea using tissue harvested in a single procedure. This has the potential to facilitate an autologous repair of segmental tracheal defects.

Tissue Engineered Trachea Using Decellularized Aorta

“…Our group has previously demonstrated the feasibility of engineering a trachea using PGA, a thermo reversible hydrogel (pluronic F127) [22] and a thermo reversible gelation polymer (TGP) [26] alone. These past results showed mature and adequate engineered cartilage in a tracheal shape in an animal model with a T cell deficiency.…”

“…Previously, our group demonstrated the feasibility to engineer a trachea using tissue engineered cartilage and epithelium from different cells sources and with various biomaterials, such as PGA or Pluronic [11,22,23]. The present study is considered to have improved the design and functionality of the tissue engineered trachea by using aporcine decellularized aorta as a scaffold providing structural support, so as to create a tracheal tube with defined C-shape cartilage rings.…”

Nanomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering

“…While conventional treatment of tracheal disease can routinely be accomplished by a direct anastomosis [8], only half of the tracheal length for adult patients and one third for pediatric patients can be resected. Alternative approaches are then required for larger defects.…”

“…These malformations may also require cartilage reconstruction. Patients with congenital or benign stenosis of the trachea, resulting from trauma, inflammation or illness, require tracheal reconstruction [8]. Acquired tracheal stenosis occurs in 2-11 % of newborns [9].…”

Tracheal Tissue Engineering

“…These constructs have been introduced into subcutaneous pockets of nude mice [170,171]. At the conclusion of 6 weeks, the ECM content of the tissue-engineered cartilage was similar to native cartilage, and histology revealed mature cartilage and pseudostratified columnar epithelium [170]. The function of these constructs must still be evaluated in vivo.…”