We describe a simple, effective approach to the creation of autologous tissue-engineered cartilage in the shape of a human nipple by injecting a reverse thermosensitive polymer seeded with autologous chondrocytes in an immunocompetent porcine animal model. A biodegradable, biocompatible copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide (Pluronic F-127), which exists as a liquid below 4°C and polymerizes to a thick gel when it is exposed to physiologic temperatures (body temperatures), was used as a vehicle for chondrocyte delivery and as a scaffold to guide growth. Autologous chondrocytes isolated from porcine auricular elastic cartilage and suspended in 30% (weight/volume) Pluronic F-127 were injected on the ventral surface of the pigs from which the cells had been isolated. A circumferential subdermal suture was used to support the contour of the implant and assist in its projection in the form of a human nipple. After 3 weeks, the skin over and surrounding the implant was tattooed to create the appearance of a human nipple-areolar complex. As controls, an equal number of injections were made using either cells alone (not suspended in hydrogel), or hydrogel alone. After 10 weeks, all specimens were excised and examined both grossly and histologically. Before harvesting, visual inspection of the tattooed chondrocyte-Pluronic F-127 hydrogel implant sites revealed that they closely resembled a human female nipple-areolar complex. Nodules were similar in size, shape, and texture to a human nipple at each injection site. Glistening opalescent tissue was surgically isolated from each implant site. Hematoxylin and eosin, safranine o, trichrome blue, and Verhoeff's stains of the experimental implants showed nodules with the characteristic histologic signs of elastic cartilage. Control injections of copolymer hydrogel alone exhibited no evidence of cartilage formation. Control injections of chondrocytes alone showed evidence of dissociated microscopic nodules of elastic cartilage.

Cao Yi Lin;Lach Elliot;Kim Tae Ho;Rodr\u00edguez Angela;Ar\u00e9valo Carlos A.;Vacanti Charles A.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

1998

The nasal reconstruction in 8 patients and cheek reconstruction in 1 using a free flap from the deltoid region has been successfully undertaken in our department since August 1987. The flap has a direct cutaneous artery - the acromial artery - as its vascular axis. The experiences and a brief anatomical review of the donor site are reported.

Zhou L. Y.;Cao Y. L.

Annals of Plastic Surgery

1989

This article reports the successful microsurgical replantation of six scalps avulsed for over 3 to 11 hr, after trauma and before repair, including five total and one partial avulsion. The authors believe that one key to successful replantation is effective vessel anastomoses. In the reported series, three scalps were reconstructed with two superficial temporal vessels and in five cases, with a 1:1 ratio between arteries and veins. The partially avulsed scalp was replanted successfully with only one artery and one vein. The management of postoperative complications is discussed.

Zhou S.;Chang T. S.;Guan W. X.;Chen K. X.;Wang S. L.;Cao Y. L.;Huang W. Y.;Oliva A.;Buncke H. J.

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery

1993

Cao Y.;Vacanti J. P.;Ma X.;Paige K. T.;Upton J.;Chowanski Z.;Schloo B.;Langer R.;Vacanti C. A.

Transplantation Proceedings

1994

Vacanti C. A.;Cao Y. L.;Upton J.;Vacanti J. P.

Transplantation Proceedings

1994

The feasibility of creating new tissue engineered tendons is studied using bovine tendon fibroblasts attached to synthetic biodegradable polymer scaffolds in athymic mice. Calf fore- and hind-limbs are obtained from local slaughterhouse within six hours of sacrifice. Tenocytes are isolated from the calf tendons. Cells are seeded onto an array of parallel fibers. Fifty cell-polymer constructs are implanted subcutaneously in athymic mice and harvested at 3, 6, 10 and 12 weeks. Grossly, all excised specimens resemble the tendons from which the cells have been isolated. Centrally, collagen fibers are more randomly arranged. Histologically, 12-week samples are virtually identical to normal tendon. Biomechanical tests demonstrate linear increase in tensile strength of the neo-tendons over time.

Cao Y.;Vacanti J. P.;Ma P. X.;Ibarra C.;Paige K. T.;Upton J.;Langer R.;Vacanti C. A.

Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings

1995

Na2Mo0.1S0.9O4(α)-Pr2(SO4)3 system has been studied by using DTA, X-ray powder diffraction and electrical conductivity measurements. The results show that the solid solution can be formed for the phase of Na2Mo0.1Na2Mo0.1So0.9O4 doped with small amount of Pr2(SO4)3 and no any phase transition takes place. When the content of Pr2(SO4)3 reaches 4mol%, the electrical conductivity of the solid solution is two orders of magnitude higher than that of pure Na2Mo0.1S0.9O4. Meanwhile, the electrical mechanism of the conductor has also been proposed. The relationship between electrical conductivity ad the concentration of the effective vacancy, doping agents and temperature have been discussed.

Yang Shuting;Cao Yilin;Lu Qingzhang;Zhao Linzhi;Zhang Mingchun;Ding Li

Gongneng Cailiao Journal of Functional Materials

1996

This study evaluates the feasibility of growing tissue-engineered cartilage in the shape of a human ear using chondrocytes seeded onto a synthetic biodegradable polymer fashioned in the shape of a 3-year-old child's auricle. A polymer template was formed in the shape of a human auricle using a nonwoven mesh of polyglycolic acid molded after being immersed in a 1% solution of polylactic acid. Each polyglycolic acid- polylactic acid template was seeded with chondrocytes isolated from bovine articular cartilage and then implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the dorsa of 10 athymic mice. The three-dimensional structure was well maintained after removal of an external stent that had been applied for 4 weeks. Specimens harvested 12 weeks after implantation and subjected to gross morphologic and histologic analysis demonstrated new cartilage formation. The overall geometry of the experimental specimens closely resembled the complex structure of the child's auricle. These findings demonstrate that polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid constructs can be fabricated in a very intricate configuration and seeded with chondrocytes to generate new cartilage that would be useful in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Cao Yilin;Vacanti Joseph P.;Paige Keith T.;Upton Joseph;Vacanti Charles A.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

1997

Vacanti J. P.;Ibarra C.;Jannetta C.;Vacanti C. A.;Cao Y.;Kim T. H.;Upton J.

Transplantation Proceedings

1997

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the tissue-engineered cartilage can repair the auricular defects in rabbits that have inherent immunity. METHODS: Rabbit auricular defects were repaired using chondrocyte-PGA constructs cultured in vitro. The gross and histological comparisons were made between the experimental and the control groups. RESULTS: The rabbit auricular defects were repaired with chondrocyte-PGA constructs, leaving fibroid tissue in the interface between the tissue-engineered cartilage and the normal cartilage. CONCLUSION: The auricular defects can be repaired by chondrocyte-PGA in vitro cultured constructs in animals like rabbits that have acquired immunity. The interface healing problems need further study.

Liu Y.;Wang W.;Cao Y.

Zhonghua Zheng Xing Shao Shang Wai Ke Za Zhi Zhonghua Zheng Xing Shao Shang Waikf I E Waike Zazhi Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery and Burns Chung Hua Cheng Hsing Shao Shang Wai K O Tsa Chih Pien Chi Wei Yuan Hui Pien Chi

1999