Reconstruction of tracheal window-shape defect by 3D printed
polycaprolatone scaffold coated with Silk Fibroin Methacryloyl
Abstract
Tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis has been the standard
clinical approach for the treatment of most airway diseases, especially
invading the lower trachea or carina. However, when long-length
(exceeding 2 cm in children or 5 cm in adults) tracheal circular
resection is performed, tracheal replacement therapy is often required.
In this study, we aimed to utilize autologous tracheal epithelia and
bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as the seeding cells, utilize
polycaprolactone (PCL) coated with Silk Fibroin Methacryloyl (SilMA) as
the scaffold to carry the cells and Kartogenin (KGN). Firstly, SilMA
with the concentration of 10%, 15% and 20% was made, and the
experiment of swelling and degradation was performed. With the increase
of the concentration, the swelling ratio decreased, the degradation
progress slowed down. Upon the result of CCK-8 test and HE staining of
3D co-culture, the 20% SilMA was selected. Next, SilMA and the cells
attached to SilMA were characterized by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity test shows that 20% SilMA has
good cytocompatibility. The hybrid scaffold was then made by PCL coated
with 20% SilMA. The mechanical test shows this hybrid scaffold has
better biomechanical properties. In vivo tracheal defect repair assays
were done to evaluate the effect of the hybrid substitution. H&E
staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining
showed that this hybrid substitution ensured the viability,
proliferation and migration of epithelium. This study is expected to
provide new strategies for the fields of tracheal replacement therapy
needing mechanical properties and epithelization.