Viscoelastic and histologic properties in scarred rabbit vocal folds after mesenchymal stem cell injection

The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term viscoelastic and histologic properties of scarred rabbit vocal folds after injection of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) as well as the degree of MSC survival. Because MSCs are antiinflammatory and regenerate mesenchymal tissues, can MSC injection reduce vocal fold scarring after injury?

Twelve vocal folds from 10 New Zealand rabbits were scarred by a localized resection and injected with human MSC or saline. Eight vocal folds were left as controls.

After 4 weeks, 10 larynges were stained for histology and evaluation of the lamina propria thickness. Collagen type I content was analyzed from six rabbits. MSC survival was analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization staining from three rabbits. Viscoelasticity for 10 vocal folds was analyzed in a parallel-plate rheometer.

The rheometry on fresh-frozen samples showed decreased dynamic viscosity and lower elastic modulus (P<.01) in the scarred samples injected with MSC as compared with the untreated scarred group. Normal controls had lower dynamic viscosity and elastic modulus as compared with the scarred untreated and treated vocal folds (P<.01). Histologic analysis showed a higher content of collagen type 1 in the scarred samples as compared with the normal vocal folds and with the scarred folds treated with MSC. MSCs remained in all samples analyzed.

The treated scarred vocal folds showed persistent MSC. Injection of scarred rabbit vocal folds with MSC rendered improved viscoelastic parameters and less signs of scarring expressed as collagen content in comparison to the untreated scarred vocal folds.