Regeneration of the trachea using a bioengineered scaffold with adipose-derived stem cells

Objectives: Our group has developed and clinically applied an artificial graft made from a collagen sponge scaffold for the regeneration of tracheal tissue. However, the artificial graft requires about 2 months for epithelial regeneration. The purpose of the present study was to accelerate the regeneration process of the trachea through the effective use of a bioengineered scaffold. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) with multilineage differentiation capability were used. In our study, we implanted a bioengineered scaffold that included autologous ASCs into tracheal defects in rats. Methods: Collagen gel, including ASCs labeled with monomeric yellow fluorescent protein, was layered onto the surface of the collagen sponge to form a bioengineered scaffold. This scaffold was implanted into the tracheal defects in rats. A control scaffold without ASCs was also implanted. Results: On day 14 after implantation, a pseudostratified columnar epithelium with well-differentiated ciliated and goblet cells and neovascularization was observed in rats that received the implant with the bioengineered scaffold that included ASCs. Conclusions: These results suggested that implanted ASCs accelerated neovascularization and epithelialization on the regenerated trachea. Thus, our newly developed bioengineered scaffold contributes,to tracheal regeneration.