Author(s)
Alicia Reyes Valenzuela. Meng
Guangyu Bao, MEng
Karen M. Kost, MD
Satya Prakash, Ph.D.
Luc Mongeau, Ph.D.
Affiliation(s)
McGill University Biological and Biomedical Engineering
Abstract:
Injectable biomaterials and cells used as vocal fold wound fillers have a limited residence time due to enzymatic reactions and the immune response of the host. Microspheres containing cells may improve the effectiveness of vocal fold injection treatments by increasing the residence time of cells and offering protection against the host immune system response. In the present study, alginate, alginate-poly-L-lysine, and alginate-chitosan microspheres were fabricated using electro-spraying and additive manufacturing. The mechanical stability, stiffness, biocompatibility, swelling properties, and cytokine production of the particles were characterized. Alginate microspheres were found to have the most desirable properties for VF regeneration. Alginate microspheres were found to induce the production of IL-1β after 24 h in culture, followed by a decrease in concentration at 48 h. This may indicate that the initial activation of the wound healing cascade is followed by the suppression of the inflammatory phase to start the regenerative phase. It has been reported that VFF lack immunogenicity. In consequence, VFF therapy alone may not be enough to start the process of regeneration in the VF-LP. These results constitute a first step towards the optimal microspheres design and fabrication to promote VF regeneration. Alternative composite materials such as alginate-gelatine are being fabricated to improve the VFF morphology and growth factor production of both exogenous and endogenous cells. [work sponsored by NIH grants DC 005788 and DC 014461]