Adipose stromal cells improve healing of vocal fold scar: Morphological and functional evidences

Authors

  • Guillaume de Bonnecaze MD,

    Corresponding author
    1. CNRS UMR5273 STROMALab, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    2. Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    3. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    • Send correspondence to Guillaume de Bonnecaze, MD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toulouse, CHU Rangueil-Larrey, France. E-mail: guidb31@yahoo.fr

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  • Benoit Chaput MD,

    1. CNRS UMR5273 STROMALab, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    2. Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    3. INSERM U1031, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    4. EFS Pyrénées–Méditerranée, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    5. Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Virginie Woisard MD, PhD,

    1. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Emmanuelle Uro-Coste MD, PhD,

    1. Department of Cytopathology, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Pascal Swider PhD,

    1. Biomechanics Group, IMFT UMR CNRS 5502, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Sebastien Vergez MD, PhD,

    1. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Elie Serrano MD,

    1. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Louis Casteilla PhD,

    1. CNRS UMR5273 STROMALab, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    2. Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    3. INSERM U1031, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    4. EFS Pyrénées–Méditerranée, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • Valerie Planat-Benard PhD

    1. CNRS UMR5273 STROMALab, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    2. Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    3. INSERM U1031, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
    4. EFS Pyrénées–Méditerranée, University of Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
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  • The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis

Adipose derived stromal cells (ASCs) are abundant and easy to prepare. Such cells may be useful for treating severe vocal disturbance caused by acute vocal fold scars.

Study Design

Prospective animal experiments with controls.

Methods

Twenty New-Zealand white rabbits were used in the present study. We evaluated vocal fold healing, with or without injection of autologous ASCs, after acute scarring. A defined lesion was created and the ASCs were immediately injected. Vocal fold regeneration was evaluated histomorphometrically and via viscoelastic analysis using an electrodynamic shaker.

Results

Six weeks after ASC injection, vocal folds exhibited significantly less inflammation than control folds (P < 0.005). In addition, hypertrophy of the lamina propria and fibrosis were significantly reduced upon ASC injection (P < 0.02). The decrease in viscoelastic parameters was less important in the ASC injected group compared to the noninjected group (P = 0.08).

Conclusion

Injection of autologous ASCs improved vocal fold healing in our preclinical model. Further studies are needed, but this method may be useful in humans.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 126:E278–E285, 2016

Ancillary