Soft tissue engineering with micronized‐gingival connective tissues

Abstract

The free gingival graft (FGG) and connective tissue graft (CTG) are currently considered to be the gold standards for keratinized gingival tissue reconstruction and augmentation. However, these procedures have some disadvantages in harvesting large grafts, such as donor‐site morbidity as well as insufficient gingival width and thickness at the recipient site post‐treatment. To solve these problems, we focused on an alternative strategy using micronized tissue transplantation (micro‐graft). In this study, we first investigated whether transplantation of micronized gingival connective tissues (MGCTs) promotes skin wound healing. MGCTs (≤100 µm) were obtained by mincing a small piece (8 mm3) of porcine keratinized gingiva using the RIGENERA system. The MGCTs were then transplanted to a full skin defect (5 mm in diameter) on the dorsal surface of immunodeficient mice after seeding to an atelocollagen matrix. Transplantations of atelocollagen matrixes with and without micronized dermis were employed as experimental controls. The results indicated that MGCTs markedly promote the vascularization and epithelialization of the defect area 14 days after transplantation compared to the experimental controls. After 21 days, complete wound closure with low contraction was obtained only in the MGCT grafts. Tracking analysis of transplanted MGCTs revealed that some mesenchymal cells derived from MGCTs can survive during healing and may function to assist in wound healing. We propose here that micro‐grafting with MGCTs represents an alternative strategy for keratinized tissue reconstruction that is characterized by low morbidity and ready availability.

Acceleration Mechanisms of Skin Wound Healing by Autologous Micrograft in Mice

“…Trovato et al (2015) [ 9 ] have shown that the obtained tissue solution is rich in progenitor cells for tissue regeneration. Regarding the wound healing study, an animal study using gingival connective tissue has been recently reported [ 10 ]. Moreover, clinical trials using the technique have also been performed, such as dehiscent surgical wounds [ 11 ], complex wound [ 12 ], chronic ulcers [ 13 ] and chronic scars [ 14 ].…”

Microarray analysis reveals long non‑coding RNA SOX2OT as a novel candidate regulator in diabetic nephropathy

“…It is already well known that oxidative stress is associated with the onset and progression of DN ( 28 ). The present study's result also added novel evidence to the role of oxidative stress by describing alterations in certain known functional processes or pathways, including flavonoid-associated processes ( 29 ), cytochrome P450 ( 30 ) and glutathione metabolism ( 31 ). Alterations in other DN-associated pathways ( 32 ), including the renin-angiotensin system, PPAR signaling pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism were also demonstrated in the present study.…”

Autologous micrografts from the palatal mucosa for bone regeneration in calvarial defects in rats: a radiological and histological analysis

“…This tissue graft was immediately processed into a dissociated soft-tissue suspension with 1 mL of 10% sucrose solution using a tissue dissociative device (Rigenera; Human Brain Wave, Italy, Fig. 1b) for 60 s [11].…”

“…Recently, autologous micrograft, which is a dissociated cell suspension made out of tissue grafts, has received much attention as a promising material for soft-tissue engineering applications and plastic surgical procedures in the clinical setting [11]. Autologous micrograft (diameter < 50 μm) has been shown to facilitate improved wound healing [12] and hair transplantation [13], likely by ensuring the transplantation of an optimal cellular microenvironment and extracellular matrix, as well as of the target cells [14].…”

“…Several studies have demonstrated that fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which mediate bone regeneration, are released from mucosal tissues [11,[15][16][17]. Furthermore, other studies have suggested that dissociated soft-tissue suspension enriched for progenitor cells can enhance tissue regeneration [13,18].…”