由于解剖的复杂性,后板层眼睑缺损的重建在临床实践中仍然是一个重大挑战。专门的功能,和美学问题。后板层的理想替代品应该复制天然的骨结膜组织,为眼睑提供机械支撑,并在植入后为眼球提供光滑表面。在这项研究中,我们提出了一种创新的方法,利用从兔耳软骨细胞产生的组织工程软骨(TEC)移植物和商业化的I型胶原海绵来重建兔的临界大小的后板层缺损。TEC移植物在体外和植入免疫缺陷小鼠后6个月均表现出显着的机械强度,并保持稳定的软骨表型。当用作自体移植物来重建兔的上眼睑板缺损时,这些TEC移植物成功地恢复正常的眼睑形态,促进眼睑平滑运动,并保留了结膜上皮的组织学结构。当应用于双层骨结膜缺损重建时,这些TEC移植物不仅保持了上眼睑的正常轮廓,而且还支持结膜上皮细胞从缺损边缘向中心的迁移和生长。这些发现强调,基于耳廓软骨细胞的TEC移植物有望成为临床后板层重建的潜在候选者。重要声明:后板层眼睑的复杂结构和功能仍然是临床重建手术的重大挑战。在这项研究中,我们在临床前兔模型中利用自体耳廓软骨细胞为基础的TEC移植物进行后板层眼睑重建。TEC移植物表现出天然的软骨组织形态,并且机械强度与天然的人类tar板相当。在兔模型中,无论是单独的板板缺损还是双层的骨结膜缺损,TEC移植成功地恢复正常的眼睑轮廓和运动,以及支持结膜上皮的保存和生长。这是第一项证明自体TEC移植物可用于修复tar板缺损的研究,从而提供了一种在临床环境中治疗后板层缺损的替代治疗方法。
The reconstruction of posterior lamellar eyelid defects remains a significant challenge in clinical practice due to anatomical complexity, specialized function, and aesthetic concerns. The ideal substitute for the posterior lamellar should replicate the native tarsoconjunctival tissue, providing both mechanical support for the eyelids and a smooth surface for the globe after implantation. In this
study, we present an innovative approach utilizing tissue-engineered cartilage (TEC) grafts generated from rabbit auricular chondrocytes and a commercialized type I collagen sponge to reconstruct critical-sized posterior lamellar defects in rabbits. The TEC grafts demonstrated remarkable mechanical strength and maintained a stable cartilaginous phenotype both in vitro and at 6 months post-implantation in immunodeficient mice. When employed as autografts to reconstruct tarsal plate defects in rabbits\' upper eyelids, these TEC grafts successfully restored normal eyelid morphology, facilitated smooth eyelid movement, and preserved the histological structure of the conjunctival epithelium. When applied in bilayered tarsoconjunctival defect reconstruction, these TEC grafts not only maintained the normal contour of the upper eyelid but also supported conjunctival epithelial cell migration and growth from the defect margin towards the centre. These findings highlight that auricular chondrocyte-based TEC grafts hold great promise as potential candidates for clinical posterior lamellar reconstruction. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The complex structure and function of the posterior lamellar eyelid continue to be significant challenges for clinical reconstructive surgeries. In this
study, we utilized autologous auricular chondrocyte-based TEC grafts for posterior lamellar eyelid reconstruction in a preclinical rabbit model. The TEC grafts exhibited native cartilaginous histomorphology and comparable mechanical strength to those of the native human tarsal plate. In rabbit models with either tarsal plate defects alone or bilayered tarsoconjunctival defects, TEC grafts successfully restored the normal eyelid contour and movement, as well as supported preservation and growth of conjunctival epithelium. This is the first
study to demonstrate autologous TEC grafts can be employed for repairing tarsal plate defects, thereby offering an alternative therapeutic approach for treating posterior lamellar defects in clinic settings.