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A novel in vivo model for evaluating functional restoration of a tissue‐engineered salivary gland
Author(s) -
PradhanBhatt Swati,
Harrington Daniel A.,
Duncan Randall L.,
FarachCarson Mary C.,
Jia Xinqiao,
Witt Robert L.
Publication year - 2014
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.24297
Subject(s) - salivary gland , cd44 , hyaluronic acid , pathology , in vivo , tissue engineering , progenitor cell , medicine , self healing hydrogels , parenchyma , ex vivo , parotid gland , spheroid , regeneration (biology) , cell , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , biomedical engineering , anatomy , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Objectives/Hypothesis To create a novel model for development of a tissue‐engineered salivary gland from human salivary gland cells that retains progenitor cell markers useful for treatment of radiation‐induced xerostomia. Study Design A three‐dimensional (3D) hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based hydrogel scaffold was used to encapsulate primary human salivary gland cells and to obtain organized acini‐like spheroids. Hydrogels were implanted into rat models, and cell viability and receptor expression were evaluated. Methods A parotid gland surgical resection model for xenografting was developed. Salivary cells loaded in HA hydrogels formed spheroids and in vitro were implanted in the three‐fourths resected parotid bed of athymic rats. Implants were removed after 1 week and analyzed for spheroid viability and phenotype retention. Results Spheroids in 3D stained positive for HA receptors CD168/RHAMM and CD44, which is also a progenitor cell marker. The parotid gland three‐fourths resection model was well‐tolerated by rodent hosts, and the salivary cell/hydrogel scaffolds were adherent to the remaining parotid gland, with no obvious signs of inflammation. A majority of human cells in the extracted hydrogels demonstrated robust expression of CD44. Conclusions A 3D HA‐based hydrogel scaffold that supported long‐term culture of salivary gland cells into organized spheroids was established. An in vivo salivary gland resection model was developed that allowed for integration of the 3D HA hydrogel scaffold with the existing glandular parenchyma. The expression of CD44 among salivary cultures may partially explain their regenerative potential, and the expression of CD168/RHAMM along with CD44 may aid the development of these 3D spheroids into regenerated salivary glands Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope , 124:456–461, 2014