A team of researchers from various prestigious institutions in the Republic of Korea has made a groundbreaking advance in the field of regenerative medicine, specifically targeting the regeneration of chronic tympanic membrane perforations. Their study, published in the “Journal of Biomaterials Applications” in August 2019, details the development and therapeutic potential of a novel chitosan patch scaffold that delivers insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) to stimulate latent stem cell activity and promote tissue repair.
The article, titled “Latent stem cell-stimulating therapy for regeneration of chronic tympanic membrane perforations using IGFBP2-releasing chitosan patch scaffolds,” offers a new hope for patients suffering from persistent eardrum perforations, a condition that can result from infections, trauma, or surgeries and often leads to hearing loss and recurrent ear infections. Conventional treatments, such as paper patch myringoplasty and tympanoplasty, come with limitations and variable success rates, necessitating more effective and consistent alternatives.
The research team, led by Dr. Hoon Seonwoo of Sunchon National University, and including specialists such as Dr. Yong-Hoon Choung from Ajou University’s Departments of Otolaryngology and Medical Sciences, and others from Seoul National University and Yanbian University Hospital, collaborated to engineer chitosan patch scaffolds embedded with IGFBP2. This combination is a promising approach for creating an optimal environment for tissue repair by engaging the body’s innate regenerative capabilities.
Chitosan, derived from chitin (a key component of crustacean exoskeletons), has biocompatible, biodegradable, and antimicrobial properties, making it an excellent biomaterial for medical applications. It serves as a scaffold to support tissue growth while the incorporated IGFBP2, a protein known to regulate the availability of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), activates stem cells lying dormant within the body to participate in tissue regeneration.
The study carried out by the researchers involved both in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the biocompatibility, sustained release of IGFBP2, and regenerative efficacy of the chitosan patches. Results demonstrated that the inclusion of IGFBP2 significantly improved the regenerative process of the tympanic membrane in animal models. Female Sprague-Dawley rats with induced eardrum perforations treated with the IGFBP2-laden chitosan patches exhibited faster healing and more robust tissue formation than controls treated with unmodified chitosan patches.
In vitro tests further substantiated the patches’ ability to steadily release IGFBP2 over time, which is crucial for ensuring a sustained therapeutic effect. Additionally, biomechanical analysis presented that the mechanical properties of the repaired tympanic membrane were akin to natural tissue, indicating the restorative quality of the scaffold.
The findings of this research underscore the potential of using biomaterial scaffolds with growth factor delivery to harness the body’s own stem cells for regenerative purposes, a concept that could revolutionize treatments for various tissues beyond the tympanic membrane. Importantly, the use of a patient’s latent stem cells skews away from concerns associated with exogenous stem cell therapies, such as immune rejection and ethical debates.
The study is published with the DOI: 10.1177/0885328219845082, and is a beacon of innovation in stem cell therapy and tissue engineering with potential applications across the field of regenerative medicine.
The research brings into focus several essential questions about the future of regenerative therapies, tissue engineering, and the ability to prompt the body’s internal healing mechanisms. As chronic tympanic membrane perforations affect countless individuals globally, the demand for more effective treatments is high, and this study represents a significant advancement toward meeting that need.
References
1. Seonwoo, H., et al. (2019). Latent stem cell-stimulating therapy for regeneration of chronic tympanic membrane perforations using IGFBP2-releasing chitosan patch scaffolds. Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 34(2), 198-207.
2. Ricciardi, T., & Reilly, B. G. (2017). Tympanic membrane perforation: Current concepts in management. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 78(5), 272-277.
3. Wang, J., et al. (2017). Chitosan scaffolds for tissue engineering: Current research, technology, and education. International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, 66(7), 321-332.
4. Yu, H., et al. (2018). Advances in the research of the mechanisms and application of insulin-like growth factor in wound healing. [Chinese Journal of Traumatology – English Edition], 21(5), 283-288.
5. Andrianarivo, A. G., et al. (2018). Growth Factors in Tissue Repair: From Laboratory to Clinical Practice. Surg. Clin. North Am., 98(1), 165-183.
Keywords
1. Chronic Tympanic Membrane Perforation
2. Regenerative Medicine
3. Tissue Engineering
4. Stem Cell Therapy
5. Chitosan Scaffold Patch