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Electrospun nanofiber mesh with connective tissue growth factor and mesenchymal stem cells for pelvic floor repair: Long-term study

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DOI

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects many women, with an estimated lifetime risk of surgical intervention of 18.7%. There is a need for alternative approaches as the use of synthetic nondegradable mesh was stopped due to severe adverse events, and as current methods for pelvic floor repair have high POP recurrence rates. Thus, we hypothesized that electrospun degradable meshes with stem cells and growth factor were safe and durable for the long term in elderly rats. In an abdominal repair model, electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) meshes coated with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)/PEG-fibrinogen (PF) and rat mesenchymal stem cells were implanted in elderly female rats and removed after in average 53 weeks (53-week group). Collagen amount and production were quantified by qPCR and Western blotting. Moreover, histological appearance and biomechanical properties were evaluated. Results were compared with previous results of young rats with identical mesh implanted for 24 weeks (24-week group). The 53-week group differed from the 24-week group in terms of (1) reduced collagen III, (2) strong reduction in foreign body response, and (3) altered histological appearance. We found comparable biomechanical properties, aside from higher, not significant, mean tissue stiffness in the 53-week group. Lastly, we identified mesh components 53 weeks after implantation. This study provides new insights into future POP repair in postmenopausal women by showing how CTGF/PF-coated electrospun PCL meshes with stem cells exhibit sufficient support, biocompatibility, and no mesh-related complications long term in an abdominal repair model in elderly rats.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part B: Applied Biomaterials
Volume111
Issue2
Pages (from-to)392-401
Number of pages10
ISSN1552-4973
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

    Research areas

  • biodegradable mesh, connective tissue growth factor, mesenchymal stem cells, pelvic floor repair, pelvic organ prolapse, tissue engineering, Pelvic Floor/surgery, Rats, Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism, Collagen/pharmacology, Animals, Surgical Mesh, Female, Connective Tissue Growth Factor

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