Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Seeding and Implantation of a Biosynthetic Tissue-engineered Tracheal Graft in a Mouse Model
Published on: April 1, 2019
Tissue-engineered tracheal reconstruction using chondrocyte seeded on a porcine cartilage-derived substance scaffold
Yoo Seob Shin1, Bum Hee Lee1, Jae Won Choi2
1Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Republic of Korea.
Objectives:
Tracheal reconstruction with tissue-engineering technique has come into the limelight in the realm of head and neck surgery. We intended to evaluate the plausibility of allogenic chondrocytes cultured with porcine cartilage-derived substance (PCS) scaffold for partial tracheal defect reconstruction.
Methods:
Powder made from crushed and decellularized porcine articular cartilage was formed as 5 mm × 12 mm (height × diameter) scaffold. Chondrocytes from rabbit articular cartilage were expanded and cultured with PCS scaffold. After 7 weeks culture, the scaffolds were implanted on a 5 mm × 10 mm artificial tracheal defect in six rabbits. Two, four and eight weeks postoperatively, the sites were evaluated endoscopically, radiologically, histologically and functionally.
Results:
None of the six rabbits showed any sign of respiratory distress. Endoscopic examination did not show any collapse or blockage of the reconstructed trachea and the defects were completely covered with regenerated respiratory epithelium. Computed tomography showed good luminal contour of trachea. Postoperative histologic data showed that the implanted chondrocyte successfully formed neo-cartilage with minimal inflammatory response and granulation tissue. Ciliary beat frequency of regenerated epithelium was similar to those of normal adjacent mucosa.
Conclusions:
The shape and function of reconstructed trachea using allogenic chondrocytes cultured with PCS scaffold was restored successfully without any graft rejection.
