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Scientific Oral Presentations

Head and Neck Surgery

Session: Scientific Oral Presentations 3 - Head and Neck Surgery

The Impact of Chondrocyte Viability and Proliferation on In-vivo Regeneration of Partially Decellularized Tracheal Grafts

Sunday, September 29, 2024
10:00 AM – 10:06 AM EDT
Location: MBCC, 208
Disclosure(s):
Lumei Liu, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Jazmin Calyeca, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Sarah C. Nyirjesy, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Amy M. M Manning, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Tendy Chiang, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Partial decellularization of allograft and xenograft trachea can eliminate graft immunogenicity creating scaffolds that could serve as a donor material for airway reconstruction. We have demonstrated that partially decellularized tracheal grafts (PDTG) preserve chondrocytes, support graft patency and host-derived functional neotissue formation in a mouse microsurgical model. We now examine the translatability of partial decellularization to a more human-scale tissue through a rabbit model of airway reconstruction.

Methods: Tracheas were harvested from New Zealand White rabbits and partially decellularized with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Chondrocyte viability was measured. PDTG and native tracheal chondrocytes were isolated and cultured. Six animals underwent orthotopic airway reconstruction with a 1 x 0.5 cm PDTG patch with planned end timepoints at 3 and 6 months (N = 3/timepoint). Animals were monitored daily for clinical symptoms, underwent radiographic surveillance monthly to measure airway patency. Grafts were scanned with microcomputed tomography (microCT) and analyzed histologically at end timepoints.

Results: Partial decellularization eliminated all highly-immunogenic cells while maintaining chondrocyte viability (88.17 ± 11.57%) similar to native (96.19 ± 1.892%), p = 0.8901. We also found partial decellularization reduced cultured chondrocyte proliferation compared to native. Following orthotopic implantation, all animals survived to end timepoints without symptoms of respiratory distress. Radiographically, all airways remained patent at the surgical site. All PDTG exhibited complete epithelialization and vascularization. MicroCT and histology demonstrated changes in PDTG including increased radiodensity, submucosal fibrosis, heterogeneous matrix intensity, and reduced cellularity in cartilage compared to native trachea.

Conclusions: Human-scale PDTG support epithelial cell and vascular regeneration. Chondrocyte loss, calcification, and fibrosis suggest that cartilage outcomes related to partial decellularization extend beyond chondrocyte viability.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • LL

    Lumei Liu, PhD

    Research Scientist
    Nationwide Children's Hospital
    Columbus, OH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AS

    Ada C. Sher

    The Ohio State University
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • SP

    Sovannarath Pong, MS

    The Ohio State University, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Jazmin Calyeca, PhD

    Research Scientist
    Nationiwide Childrens's Hospital
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Sarah C. Nyirjesy, MD

    Fellow
    Mass Eye and Ear
    Rydal, PA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • AM

    Amy M. Manning, MD

    Assistant Professor - Pediatric Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
    Nationiwide Childrens's Hospital
    Columbus, Ohio, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Tendy Chiang, MD

    Associate Professor
    Nationwide Children’s Hospital
    Columbus, OH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


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