Regeneration of Vocal Fold Mucosa Using Tissue-Engineered Structures with Oral Mucosal Cells

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25462696
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: Chitose Shun-ichi 久留米大学, 医学部, 准教授 (20299514)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Fukahori Mioko 久留米大学, 耳鼻咽喉科頭頸部外科, 助教 (50529310) ; Sato Kiminori 久留米大学, 耳鼻咽喉科頭頸部外科, 客員教授 (70196228) ; Umeno Hirohito 久留米大学, 耳鼻咽喉科頭頸部外科, 教授 (40203583)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 再生 / 喉頭 / 声帯 / 口腔粘膜 / 声帯上皮 / 声帯粘膜固有層 / 声帯瘢痕 / 声帯溝症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Objective: The purpose of this study is to regenerate vocal fold mucosa using cultured oral mucosal cells. Methods: A small specimen of oral mucosa was surgically excised from six canines, and epithelial cells were isolated and cultured. The epithelial cells were co-cultured on collagen gels containing separately cultured fibroblasts. The fabricated tissues were autotransplanted to the mucosa-deficient vocal fold. Seven weeks after the transplantation, the vocal fold vibration and morphological characteristics were observed. Results: Laryngeal stroboscopy revealed that the mucosal waves at the transplanted site were regular. Histological findings showed there were fewer elastic fibers in the lamina propria covered with stratified squamous epithelium. The morphology and function after transplantation were more similar to those of a normal vocal fold. Conclusion: The transplantation of the stratified epithelial cell sheet alone has greater ability to regenerate proper vocal fold mucosa.

Free Research Field

喉頭