Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using autologous sheep marrow stromal cells cultured onto polyglycolic acid mesh to develop helical engineered cartilage equivalents for a functional tracheal replacement. We also explored the potential benefit of local delivery of transforming growth factor beta2 with biodegradable gelatin microspheres.
Methods: Bone marrow was obtained by iliac crest aspiration from 6-month-old sheep and cultured in monolayer for 2 weeks. At confluence, the cells were seeded onto nonwoven polyglycolic acid fiber mesh and cultured in vitro with transforming growth factor beta2 and insulin-like growth factor 1 for 1 week. Cell-polymer constructs were wrapped around a silicone helical template. Constructs were then coated with microspheres incorporating 0.5 mug transforming growth factor beta2. The cell-polymer-microsphere structures were then implanted into a nude rat. On removal, glycosaminoglycan content and hydroxyproline were analyzed in both native and tissue-engineered trachea. Histologic sections of both native and tissue-engineered trachea were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, safranin-O, and a monoclonal anti-type II collagen antibody.
Results: Cell-polymer constructs with transforming growth factor beta2 microspheres formed stiff cartilage de novo in the shape of a helix after 6 weeks. Control constructs lacking transforming growth factor beta2 microspheres appeared to be much stiffer than typical cartilage, with an apparently mineralized matrix. Tissue-engineered trachea was similar to normal trachea. Histologic data showed the presence of mature cartilage. Glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline contents were also similar to native cartilage levels.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of engineering tracheas with sheep marrow stromal cells as a cell source. Engineering the tracheal equivalents with supplemental transforming growth factor beta2 seemed to have a positive effect on retaining a cartilaginous phenotype in the newly forming tissue.