Isolation of fibroblasts for coating of meshes for reconstructive surgery: differences between mesh types. (March 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Skala, Christine E; Petry, Ilka B; Gebhard, Susanne; Hengstler, Jan G; Albrich, Stefan B; Maltaris, Theodoros; Naumann, Gert; Koelbl, Heinz
• Is Part Of: Regenerative medicine. Volume 4:Number 2(2009)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2009-03
• Subjects: fibroblasts -- incontinence -- meshes for reconstructive surgery -- pelvic floor; Cellular therapy -- Periodicals; Stem cells -- Transplantation -- Periodicals; Degeneration (Pathology) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Regeneration (Biology) -- Periodicals; 611.018
• DOI: 10.2217/17460751.4.2.197
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0751

Abstract

Aims: An extensive colonization of surgical meshes with autologous fibroblasts may reduce complications. Therefore, we aimed to establish a technique that allows isolation and propagation of fibroblasts from vaginal biopsies. Using these cells we tested the applicability of several clinically applied meshes for fibroblast coating.Materials & methods: Fibroblasts were isolated from vaginal tissue after digestion with collagenase. Characterization was performed by immunostaining for cytokeratin 5, 6 and 14, smooth muscle actin and vimentin. A semiquantitative technique was applied to determine the degree of mesh coating 5 h and 5 weeks after seeding of fibroblasts. Seven meshes of different mesh types have been tested.Results: Cells with a fibroblast-like morphology have been isolated from vaginal tissue and could be propagated for at least 12 passages, resulting in a total number of 1.2 ×× 10 7 cells. Immunostaining showed that cells were positive for the mesenchymal cell marker vimentin and negative for smooth muscle actin, as well as the epithelial cell markers cytokeratin 5, 6 and 14, supporting their classification as fibroblasts. Clear differences in fibroblast colonization between the seven tested mesh types have been observed. Polypropylene mesh Obtape ®® showed an acceptable covering with fibroblasts. The best coating was obtained for xenograft-based meshes, but under cell-culture conditions the mesh showed signs of decomposition.Conclusion: We have established a technique that allows isolation and propagation of vaginal fibroblasts. The result of vaginal fibroblast colonization of allograft-based meshes strongly depends on the mesh type, whereby the best coating could be achieved for a polypropylene mesh.