Regeneration of Tracheal Epithelium Utilizing a Novel Bipotential Collagen Scaffold

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel bipotential collagen scaffold as a bioengineered trachea for the regeneration of the tracheal epithelium. Methods: The bipotential collagen scaffold was developed by conjugating a collagen vitrigel membrane to a collagen sponge in order to promote both epithelial cell growth and mesenchymal cell infiltration. The bipotential collagen scaffold was transplanted into tracheal defects in rats, and a conventional collagen sponge was implanted as a control model. Histologic examinations were undertaken to evaluate the results. Results: The bioengineered trachea was covered with epithelium in the vitrigel model, but not in the control model, at 7 days after implantation. At 14 days after implantation, the bioengineered trachea was covered with epithelium involving the basal cell layer in the vitrigel model. At 28 days after implantation, a columnar ciliated epithelium was observed only in the vitrigel model. Conclusions: Our technique for trachea reconstruction using a novel bipotential collagen scaffold affords a feasible approach for accelerating epithelial regeneration on the intraluminal surface of the host tracheal defect.