Epidermal Cell Sheet Transplantation on an Anastomotic Site of the Small Intestine in an Experimental Animal Model

Objective: The present study was performed to examine the effects of anastomotic site tissue reconstruction by transplantation of epidermal cell sheets onto the small intestine in an animal model. Cell sheet engineering using cell sheets are used to construct monolayers and bilayers, which are then transplanted into organs. Clinical trials of the application of cell sheets to the cornea, esophagus, lung, and heart muscle are currently underway. Methods: The small intestine in female pig (20 kg) was cut 1.5 cm vertically at 6 points at 10-cm intervals, and Gambee sutures were applied at 5-mm intervals. The suture line was covered by epidermal cell sheets. Resection was performed 1 week after the operation. Results: Cell sheets applied to sutures in the small intestine survived and differentiated 1 week after transplantation. The small intestine showed marked thickening in the region of cell sheet transplantation, and the amount of connective tissue in the transplanted specimens was 2.54 times that in controls. Conclusions: Further studies are necessary to identify the strength of anastomosis and substances that may enhance collagen synthesis and healing at sites of anastomosis.