PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Pediatric long-segment airway defects are caused by congenital malformations or result from trauma,
infection, or malignancy. Although rare, these defects are often fatal. There is currently no established surgical
technique to repair long-segment tracheal defects and the reconstructive options remain heroic. Tissue
engineering has the potential to replace failed tissue with a normal, living organ. Despite its potential, clinical
outcomes of tissue engineered tracheal grafts (TETG) have been poor.
The main barriers to translation of tracheal replacement are graft collapse and delayed epithelialization.
We assessed the performance of decellularized TETG (dcTETG) in our mouse model of orthotopic tracheal
replacement. We identified that decellularized TETG can regenerate, restoring a functional surface airway
epithelium (SAE), however outcomes are limited due to graft collapse. Using resorbable biomaterials to stabilize
dcTETG, we created a Composite TETG (CTETG). We hypothesize the CTETG can improve overall survival in
long-segment tracheal replacement, attenuate graft collapse, promote extracellular matrix (ECM production) and
SAE differentiation.
To test this hypothesis, we will first assess how CTETG promotes ECM regeneration in the tracheal
cartilage. In our first aim, we will implant dcTETG and CTETG in a mouse model of tracheal replacement and
quantify ECM production and mechanical properties. Using a conditional knock-out of chondrocyte-mediated
ECM production, we will then assess the impact on graft chondrocytes on ECM production. In our second aim,
we will define how SAE differentiation is promoted by CTETG. We hypothesize that modification of graft
dimensions with splinting reduces wall shear stress (WSS) resulting in improved epithelial differentiation. To test
the effect of WSS on SAE differentiation, we will implant dcTETG and CTETG of normal and small diameter,
thus increasing WSS by reducing graft radius. To quantify WSS, we will use computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
to topographically map WSS through the TETG and correlate these values with quantitative immunofluorescence
of neo-epithelium. Finally, we will validate CTETG performance in an ovine model of tracheal replacement in our
third aim. Using routine radiographic and endoscopic surveillance, we will quantify animal survival, clinical
manifestations, graft dimensions, and graft regeneration.
This proposal advances the field of airway tissue engineering through the development of a composite
tissue engineered tracheal graft and defining the mechanical factors contributing to graft regeneration.