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Combining bioengineered human skin with bioprinted cartilage for ear reconstruction
Dominika Zielinska1,2,3, Philipp Fisch4, Ueli Moehrlen1,2,3
1Tissue Biology Research Unit, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Science Advances
|October 4, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel tissue-engineered solution for microtia reconstruction, combining bioprinted cartilage (EarCartilage) and engineered skin (EarSkin). The approach shows promising results for restoring ear structure and appearance in animal models.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biotechnology
- Craniofacial Surgery
Background:
- Microtia, a congenital ear malformation, causes significant psychosocial distress in children.
- Current reconstructive methods for microtia have limitations, impacting aesthetic outcomes.
- Tissue engineering offers a potential solution for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing ear reconstructions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel tissue-engineered treatment for microtia using bioprinted auricular cartilage (EarCartilage) and a bioengineered skin substitute (EarSkin).
- To assess the integration, vascularization, and epidermal maturation of the engineered constructs in an in vivo model.
Main Methods:
- Development of a bioprinted autologous auricular cartilage construct (EarCartilage).
- Creation of a bioengineered, pigmented, and prevascularized human dermo-epidermal skin substitute (EarSkin).
- In vivo testing of the combined EarCartilage and EarSkin constructs in immunocompromised rats.
Main Results:
- Engineered skin (EarSkin) capillaries successfully connected to the host vasculature within one week, ensuring rapid perfusion and epidermal maturation.
- The bioengineered skin exhibited a stratified epidermis with mature keratinocytes and functional melanocytes, restoring skin color.
- The engineered cartilage (EarCartilage) demonstrated good mechanical stability and enhanced extracellular matrix deposition in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The combination of EarCartilage and EarSkin presents a novel and promising approach for microtia reconstruction.
- This tissue-engineered strategy has the potential to overcome existing limitations in microtia surgery.
- The approach may significantly improve the aesthetic and functional outcomes for patients with microtia.
