Functional regeneration of laryngeal muscle using bone marrow-derived stromal cells

Objectives/Hypothesis To investigate the functional efficiency of skeletal muscles regenerated by transplantation of bone marrow–derived stromal cells (BSCs) or induced‐muscle progenitor cells (IMCs) as assessed in the canine posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle injury model. Study Design Prospective animal experiment with control. Methods We performed BSC/IMC transplantation into injured canine PCA muscles. We investigated the capability of auto‐ and allo‐BSC/IMC transplantation using a gelatin sponge scaffold to promote functional regeneration of PCA muscles. Transplantation was assessed by fiberscopic analysis of vocal fold movement. We also examined the histologic changes of the transplanted regions. As a control, a gelatin sponge scaffold without additional cells was transplanted into the injured area. Results Auto‐BSC/IMC transplantation effectively restored vocal fold movement, whereas scaffold alone or allo‐BSC/IMC transplantation did not. Histologic examination revealed that (in cases of good recovery) muscle regeneration occurred in the area of cell transplantation, and scar formation without muscle regeneration was observed under control conditions. The dogs with autologous transplantation of BSC had faster functional recovery than did dogs treated with autologous transplantation of IMC. Conclusions Functional efficiency was shown in skeletal muscles regenerated using BSCs and IMPs. Motor function recovery was observed using autologous transplantation of BSCs and IMCs. Minimal functional recovery was observed using allogeneic transplantation of these cells. Level of Evidence NA. Laryngoscope, 123:2728–2734, 2013