The viable bioengineered allogeneic cellularized construct StrataGraft® synthesizes, deposits, and organizes human extracellular matrix proteins into tissue type-specific structures and secretes soluble factors associated with wound healing.

Background: StrataGraft® (allogeneic cultured keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in murine collagen-dsat) is an FDA-approved viable bioengineered allogeneic cellularized construct for adult patients with deep partial-thickness burns requiring surgery. We characterized the structural and functional properties of StrataGraft to improve product understanding by evaluating extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule distribution and secreted protein factor expression in vitro.

Methods: ECM protein expression was determined using indirect immunofluorescence on construct cross sections using commercial antibodies against collagen III, IV, VI, laminin-332, and decorin.

MUC1 and Polarity Markers INADL and SCRIB Identify Salivary Ductal Cells.

Current treatments for xerostomia/dry mouth are palliative and largely ineffective. A permanent clinical resolution is being developed to correct hyposalivation using implanted hydrogel-encapsulated salivary human stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs) to restore functional salivary components and increase salivary flow. Pluripotent epithelial cell populations derived from hS/PCs, representing a basal stem cell population in tissue, can differentiate along either secretory acinar or fluid-transporting ductal lineages.

RGDSP-Decorated Hyaluronate Hydrogels Facilitate Rapid 3D Expansion of Amylase-Expressing Salivary Gland Progenitor Cells.

engineering of salivary glands relies on the availability of synthetic matrices presenting essential cell-instructive signals to guide tissue growth. Here, we describe a biomimetic, hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel platform containing covalently immobilized bioactive peptides derived from perlecan domain IV (TWSKV), laminin-111 (YIGSR, IKVAV), and fibronectin (RGDSP). The HA network was established by the thiol/acrylate reaction, and bioactive peptides were conjugated to the network with high efficiency without significantly altering the mechanical property of the matrix.

Immunosuppressed Miniswine as a Model for Testing Cell Therapy Success: Experience With Implants of Human Salivary Stem/Progenitor Cell Constructs.

An urgent need exists to develop large animal models for preclinical testing of new cell therapies designed to replace lost or damaged tissues. Patients receiving irradiation for treatment of head and neck cancers frequently develop xerostomia/dry mouth, a condition that could one day be treated by cell therapy to repopulate functional saliva-producing cells. Using immunosuppression protocols developed for patients receiving whole face transplants, we successfully used immunosuppressed miniswine as a suitable host animal to evaluate the long-term stability, biocompatibility, and fate of matrix-modified hyaluronate (HA) hydrogel/bioscaffold materials containing encapsulated salivary human stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs).

Neurturin-containing laminin matrices support innervated branching epithelium from adult epithelial salispheres.

Cell transplantation of autologous adult biopsies, grown ex vivo as epithelial organoids or expanded as spheroids, are proposed treatments to regenerate damaged branching organs. However, it is not clear whether transplantation of adult organoids or spheroids alone is sufficient to initiate a fetal-like program of branching morphogenesis in which coordinated branching of multiple cell types including nerves, mesenchyme and blood vessels occurs. Yet this is an essential concept for the regeneration of branching organs such as lung, pancreas, and lacrimal and salivary glands.