Basic studies on the application of an artificial esophagus using cultured epidermal cells

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Anastomotic leakage and stricture formation are significant complications in artificial esophagus construction.
• Synthetic materials are being investigated to create functional esophageal substitutes.
• Epithelialization of synthetic grafts is crucial for successful integration and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of using cultured epidermal cells for epithelializing a synthetic granulation tube.
• To evaluate different methods for harvesting cultured epidermal cells for seeding onto a synthetic scaffold.
• To assess the feasibility of creating an epithelialized inner surface for an artificial esophagus.

Main Methods:

• A silicon-coated stainless steel mesh tube was used as the granulation tube scaffold.
• Epidermal cells were isolated from skin samples and cultured in keratinocyte growth medium.
• Cultured epidermal cells were harvested using trypsin, dispase, or a cell scraper and seeded into the tubes.
• Cell attachment and morphology on the granulation tube's inner surface were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Dispase treatment resulted in successful epidermal cell attachment in 5 out of 9 cases.
• Trypsin treatment achieved cell attachment in 2 out of 15 cases; cell scraper method failed.
• Attached cells displayed a cobblestone morphology and stratified on the granulation tissue.
• These results demonstrate successful epithelialization of the synthetic tube's inner surface.

Conclusions:

• Cultured epidermal cells can effectively epithelialized the inner surface of a synthetic granulation tube.
• Dispase treatment is a viable method for harvesting cells for this application.
• This technique shows promise for developing artificial esophagus grafts with reduced risks of leakage and stricture.