Conclusions
Similar to autologous fibroblast sheet transplantation, the transplantation of allogeneic fibroblast sheets prevented PALs and closed pleural defects without adhesion between the visceral and parietal pleura. Therefore, it can be concluded that allogeneic fibroblast sheets can be used as a ready-to-use sealant for preventing postoperative PALs.
Methods
Rat skin fibroblasts were prepared from transgenic rats expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and cultured on temperature-responsive culture dishes to harvest fibroblast sheets. Allogeneic fibroblast sheets or PGA sheets were transplanted onto the pleural defects of the left lung in F344/NJcl-rnu/rnu (athymic rat), Slc:SD (SD), and BN/SsNSlc (BN) rats to assess PAL and adhesion prevention. Histological and immunological analyses were conducted to evaluate lung tissue of PALs transplanted with fibroblast or PGA sheets.
Results
Fibroblast sheets and PGA sheets closed pleural defects with PALs in all rat models. Adhesions were observed in most rat models transplanted with PGA sheets, but no adhesions were observed in rat models transplanted with fibroblast sheets. Immunostaining for HBME-1 indicated the regeneration of pleura by fibroblast sheet transplantation on the defects without adhesions after 2 weeks and 3 months of transplantation. Conclusions: Similar to autologous fibroblast sheet transplantation, the transplantation of allogeneic fibroblast sheets prevented PALs and closed pleural defects without adhesion between the visceral and parietal pleura. Therefore, it can be concluded that allogeneic fibroblast sheets can be used as a ready-to-use sealant for preventing postoperative PALs.