Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) as a scaffold to construct tissue-engineered larynx-shaped cartilage / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study of tissue-engineered cartilage with predetermined shaping and regeneration has provided novel ideas and techniques for repair of laryngeal cartilage erosion; however, due to the special natures of the morphology, location and function of laryngeal cartilage, tissue engineering research has not, to date, exhibited its ful advantages in the reconstruction of laryngeal cartilage. OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility of building tissue-engineered larynx-shaped cartilage using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHH) as a scaffold filed and encapsulated with pedicled myofascial flaps. METHODS:Porous PHBHH was prepared and formed into a holow like larynx-shape, and the cel PHBHH composites were cultured for 1 weekin vitro prior to implantationin vivo. The cel-PHBHH composite was filed and encapsulated with myofascial flaps with the pedicle forin situ implantation in nine rabbits as experimental group. PHBHH scaffold with no chondrocytes was implanted alone in three rabbits as control group. Cartilage regeneration was assessed at 6, 12 and 18 weeks after surgery through morphological observation, histological and immunohistochemical detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the experimental group, the shape and porosity (> 90%) of the material were ideal, the cels exhibited good adhesion with the material and the blood supply within the myofascial flap with pedicle was rich for effective filing and encapsulation of the cel PHBHH composite. Tissue-engineered laryngeal cartilage with the holow, semi-trumpet shape was idealy formed at 6 weeks after the surgery. Further maturation of the cartilage was observed at 12 and 18 weeks after the surgery. However, there was no cartilage tissue in the control group. This study shows that PHBHH is a suitable material for the formation of a holow, semi-trumpet shape with good celular compatibility. Myofascial flap filing and encapsulating can be used to build tissue-engineered laryngeal cartilage with a holow, semi-trumpet shape.