Researchers at McGill University determined that decellularized small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is a promising alternative for vocal fold (VF) regeneration.1
The team evaluated the differences in the proteomic composition of decellularized porcine vocal folds (dVFs) and SIS. Then they compared the production of neo-extracellular matrix in vitro in response to each scaffold.
VFs are soft, delicate tissues that can scar after surgery.2 Tissue-specific decellularized extracellular matrix is thought to be favorable for regeneration of injured organs, but only minute amounts are available in human VFs.3
The authors compared dVF and SIS as alternative sources for human VF regeneration. Initial work tested different protocols for decellularizing porcine vocal folds. Proteomics experiments were then performed on powdered native VF, dVF, and SIS. When compared, dVF and SIS were found to share 63% of the proteins identified in native VF samples, including the majority of the matrisome and matrisome-associated proteins.
Researchers performed quantitative testing for collagen, elastin, and hyaluronan to complement the proteomic data. dVF was found to have more total collagen than SIS, while SIS had more soluble collagen; the amounts of elastin and hyaluronan were not different. Human VF fibroblasts were grown on hydrogels made from dVF and SIS. Cell proliferation and the amount of elastin and hyaluronan deposited by the cells were no different between dVF and SIS. However, cells deposited more collagen on the SIS hydrogels than on the dVF hydrogels.
While the study found that dVF is more similar to native VF than SIS, SIS may prove to be a more viable, scalable alternative for VF regeneration.
1Brown M, Zhu S, Taylor L, Tabrizian M, Li-Jessen NYK. Unraveling the relevance of tissue-specific decellularized extracellular matrix hydrogels for vocal fold regenerative biomaterials: a comprehensive proteomic and in vitro study. Adv Nanobiomed Res. 2023;3(4):2200095.
2Li L, Stiadle JM, Lau HK, et al. Tissue engineering-based therapeutic strategies for vocal fold repair and regeneration. Biomaterials. 2016;180:91-110.
3Miri AK. Mechanical characterization of vocal fold tissue: a review study. J Voice. 2014;28(6):657-667.