Cell viability of vocal fold implants constructed by magnetic tissue engineering

Introduction:

Voice disorders cause a severe reduction of quality of life. Especially defects of the vocal folds are of importance; e.g., after tumour surgery. There are no implants in the field of phono surgery yet, which can be used as a therapeutic tool. By means of magnetic tissue engineering, we created a three-dimensional structure, which now has to be tested and optimized.

Methods:

Rabbit vocal fold fibroblasts have been incubated with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in a concentration of 20 µg/cm2. Subsequently, variable configured vocal fold implants were designed by using different magnets. Cell viability was analysed in flow cytometry by staining with annexin V/propidium iodide. Additionally, we performed an immunohistochemical examination with phalloidine (cytoskeleton) and Hoechst 33342 (nucleus).

Results:

We detected not less than 80% cell viability in terms of the different forms. Apoptotic (annexin V positive) and necrotic cells (propidium iodide positive) were equally distributed. Regarding the immunhistochemical staining we found a dense cell structure in the implants.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated the wide viability of our vocal fold implants constructed by using magnetic tissue engineering. These results take us a step forward in the development of vocal fold implants.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)