Author
WEISS, SEAN - Louisiana State University | |
TENNEY, JUSTIN - Louisiana State University | |
Thomson, Jessica | |
ANTHONY, CATHERINE - Louisiana State University | |
CHIU, ERNEST - Louisiana State University | |
FRIEDLANDER, PAUL - Tulane Health Science Center | |
WOLTERING, EUGENE - Louisiana State University |
Submitted to: The Laryngoscope
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2009 Publication Date: 3/1/2010 Citation: Weiss, S.R., Tenney, J.M., Thomson, J.L., Anthony, C.T., Chiu, E.S., Friedlander, P.L., Woltering, E.A. 2010. The effect of AlloDerm® on the initiation and growth of human neovessels. The Laryngoscope. 120(3):443-449. Interpretive Summary: AlloDerm®, a matrix of natural biological components, has been used in the reconstruction of head and neck defects following surgery. The potential for AlloDerm® to stimulate new blood vessel growth, and thus, enhance wound healing, is unknown. In this study, we tested the effects of AlloDerm® alone, and AlloDerm® plus two different blood products using a model to simulate a healing wound. We found that AlloDerm® alone actually decreased new blood vessel growth (contrary to our belief). However, AlloDerm® plus one of the blood products did increase new blood vessel growth. Hence, AlloDerm® enriched with a blood product may enhance wound healing, although further studies are needed to confirm our results. Technical Abstract: AlloDerm® is commonly employed for reconstruction of ablative soft tissue and mucosal defects following surgical resections. Although devoid of growth factors, AlloDerm® may serve as an adhesive matrix for binding of growth factors increasing local angiogenesis and wound healing. We hypothesized that AlloDerm® would enhance angiogenesis, and might be altered with autologous blood products to enhance initiation of the angiogenic response. We used a human placental vein in a fibrin-thrombin clot based angiogenesis model. Four groups, human placental vein (HPVM), HPVM with AlloDerm®, HPVM with AlloDerm® plus platelet poor plasma (PPP), and HPVM with AlloDerm® plus platelet rich plasma (PRP) were evaluated. Endothelial cell growth was evaluated visually (40x). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunofluorescent staining for growth within the AlloDerm® matrix were also performed. To assess human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) sites of attachment to AlloDerm®, we incubated HUVEC cells with AlloDerm® for a period of 2 weeks and evaluated attachment with anti-factor 8 immunofluorescence. Angiogenic initiation decreased in the combined placental vein with AlloDerm® group (p-value<.0001 at day 7, 14, 21). Additionally, initiation in the AlloDerm® + PPP group was significantly better than the AlloDerm® alone group when placentas 2 and 3 were compared (p-value < .0001). On hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as immunofluorescent factor 8 staining, no endothelial growth into the AlloDerm® was noted in the samples analyzed. AlloDerm® may be enriched with platelet poor plasma to stimulate greater initiation and wound healing, however, AlloDerm® inhibits angiogenic initiation in this model. |