Abstract: Success in tissue engineering of the vocal fold lamina propria extracellular matrix (ECM) for treatment of chronic vocal fold scarring demands an understanding of how cells integrate the signals presented from the scar microenvironment, in combination with the signals from the biomaterial scaffold, to alter their response. To date, approaches to biomaterial development for scarred lamina propria treatment have examined the response of “normal” (non-scar) vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) to the biomaterial. As a result, they have failed to capture cellular responses, from activated macrophages and from resident scar-tissue VFFs (also known as myofibroblasts), from the in vivo implant environment which critically impact the quality and rate of VFF ECM production. In the present work, we conjugate cytokines, previously identified as anti-fibrotic and/or immunomodulatory, to biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) [PEGDA] hydrogel formulations shown to have mechanical properties which preserve mucosal wave activity with low average phonation threshold pressures. We demonstrate these biomaterials influence macrophage polarization -- shifting activated macrophages from a pro-inflammatory phenotype to a phenotype that is anti-inflammatory and pro-healing—and shift myofibroblasts to a “normal” or anti-fibrotic VFF phenotype. 

~BME Faculty Host: Preeti Sivasankar~

***Coffee and juice will be provided at West Lafayette***

(via teleconference to SL165 at IUPUI)