Tracheal regeneration using polycaprolactone/collagen-nanofiber coated with umbilical cord serum after partial resection

ObjectivesWe developed a PCL/collagen nanofiber (PC-NF) scaffold/human umbilical cord serum (hUCS) to facilitate epithelial cell migration after implantation in order to promote regeneration of the tracheal epithelium without having a cell source.Materials and MethodsThe isolated chodrocytes from bovine auricle were used to evaluate the cellular activities cultured in the scaffolds with or without hUCS.A 4 mm wide/8 mm long, full thickness anterior defect was created in the tracheal rings of rats. An anterior tracheal defect was implanted with a PCL/collagen-NF scaffold (PC-NF) in the control group (n = 7), and a PCL/collagen-NF coated with hUCS scaffold (PCU-NF) was implanted in the experimental group (n = 7). All rats were sacrificed at 7 weeks postoperatively. The cervical trachea, including the implant site, was resected, and gross and histological examinations were performed.ResultsThe viable cells of PCU-NF scaffold were significantly higher than that of the PCL and PC-NF scaffold at 7 days; the result can be due to the exceptional biological growth factors of the hUCS. The steromicroscopic finding showed that the artificial trachea was covered by perichondrium without dislocation or granulation at 7 weeks postsurgery. When compared to the control group, the PCU-NF group showed a completely regenerated tracheal wall with luminal epilthelization.ConclusionAs a results of this study, the PCU-NF scaffold promoted cartilage and epithelial regeneration over the artificial trachea without graft inflammation. Partial tracheal reconstruction using PCU-NF scaffold is suitable for enhancing cartilage and epithelial regeneration.