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Hyaluronic Acid/Alginate Hydrogel Containing Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Promotion of Vocal Fold Wound Healing

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Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Aims and scope

Abstract

Background:

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to facilitate vocal fold (VF) wound healing. This study was undertaken to determine whether the therapeutic efficacy of HGF could be enhanced by applying it in hyaluronic acid and alginate (HA/ALG) composite hydrogels into VFs after injury in a rabbit model.

Methods:

HGF was loaded into HA/ALG composite hydrogel (HGF–HA/ALG) and its in vitro release profile was evaluated. In addition, HGF–HA/ALG was injected into the VFs of rabbits immediately after direct injury and HGF or PBS was injected in the same manner into control groups. Macroscopic features were observed by endoscopy at 3 months post-injury. Functional analyses including mucosal waves of VFs and viscoelastic properties were performed by kymography following high-speed digital imaging and rheometer. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations were also conducted on VFs.

Results:

HGF release from HGF–HA/ALG was sustained for up to 3 weeks. Rabbits treated with HGF–HA/ALG showed improved mucosal vibrations and VF viscoelastic properties as compared with the PBS and HGF controls. Histopathological staining revealed HGF–HA/ALG treated VFs showed less fibrosis than PBS and HGF controls, and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated amounts of type I collagen and fibronectin were lower in HGF–HA/ALG treated animals than in PBS and HGF controls at 3 months post-injury.

Conclusion:

HGF containing HA/ALG hydrogel enhanced healing in our rabbit model of VF injury.

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Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Medical Research Center (MRC) (NRF-2014R1A5A2009392) of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Korean government (MSIP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inha University School of Medicine, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea

    Jeong-Seok Choi & Young-Mo Kim

  2. Department of Nanobiomedical Science, Dankook University, 119 Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, 31116, Republic of Korea

    Se Heang Oh

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Yol Lim

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  1. Jeong-Seok Choi
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Correspondence to Jae-Yol Lim.

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Ethical statement

The animal studies were performed after receiving approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in Inha University. (IACUC approval No. INHA 141003-330-3).

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Choi, JS., Heang Oh, S., Kim, YM. et al. Hyaluronic Acid/Alginate Hydrogel Containing Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Promotion of Vocal Fold Wound Healing. Tissue Eng Regen Med 17, 651–658 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-020-00280-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-020-00280-6

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