Abstract
The engineering of tracheal substitutes is pivotal in improving tracheal reconstruction. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of biomechanical stimulation on tissue engineering tracheal cartilage by mimicking the trachea motion through a novel radial stretching bioreactor, which enables to dynamically change the diameter of the hollow cylindrical implants. Applying our bioreactor, we demonstrated that chondrocytes seeded on the surface of Poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffold respond to mechanical stimulation by improvement of infiltration into implants and upregulation of cartilage-specific genes. Further, the mechanical stimulation enhanced the accumulation of cartilage neo-tissues and cartilage-specific extracellular macromolecules in the muscle flap-remodeled implants and reconstructed trachea. Nevertheless, the invasion of fibrous tissues in the reconstructed trachea was suppressed upon mechanical loading.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have