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Liver‐derived extracellular matrix as a biologic scaffold for acute vocal fold repair in a canine model
Author(s) -
Gilbert Thomas W.,
Agrawal Vineet,
Gilbert Mark R.,
Povirk Katherine M.,
Badylak Stephen F.,
Rosen Clark A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.20575
Subject(s) - lamina propria , extracellular matrix , glycosaminoglycan , vocal folds , connective tissue , scaffold , chemistry , anatomy , collagen fiber , pathology , medicine , larynx , biomedical engineering , epithelium , biochemistry
Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective of the study was to evaluate a naturally derived liver extracellular matrix (L‐ECM) scaffold for repair of an acute injury to the vocal fold lamina propria in a canine model. Methods: The vocal fold lamina propria was removed bilaterally in four dogs. One vocal fold in each dog was repaired with a porcine L‐ECM scaffold, which was chosen because it contains hepatocyte growth factor, an antifibrotic growth factor that aids the healing of vocal folds. The other vocal fold was left untreated. At 3 months after surgery, morphologic and histologic analysis was performed to assess the vocal fold shape, collagen density, collagen composition, elastic fiber content, and glycosaminoglycan content. Results: The L‐ECM–treated vocal fold showed increased collagen density in the superficial aspect of the vocal fold ( P < .05). The L‐ECM–treated vocal fold also showed an increased collagen III/I ratio as compared to the nontreated group ( P < .05). However, the elastic fiber content was found to be increased in both groups, and the glycosaminoglycan content was decreased in both groups as compared to the normal vocal fold ( P < .05) with no differences detected between groups. Conclusions: The L‐ECM scaffold did not restore the biochemical composition or histologic appearance of the injured vocal fold as compared to normal. However, the increased ratio of collagen III/I and elastic fiber content suggests that L‐ECM leads to formation of connective tissue that may be more pliable as compared to no treatment. Additional investigation, including functional assessment, is warranted. Laryngoscope, 2009