Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model
Abstract This study explores a novel approach to vaginal reconstructive surgery using autologous tissue grafts, which may provide new therapeutic options for women with congenital or acquired vaginal anomalies. Using a small autologous vaginal tissue segment, we engineered a six-fold expanded graft...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | npj Women's Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00062-2 |
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| _version_ | 1850198001338810368 |
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| author | Oliver Willacy Nikolai Juul August Olsen Charlotte Egeland Tu Hu Mahboobeh Amoushahi Thomas Jensen Fatemeh Ajalloueian Thomas Litman Clara I. Chamorro Magdalena Fossum |
| author_facet | Oliver Willacy Nikolai Juul August Olsen Charlotte Egeland Tu Hu Mahboobeh Amoushahi Thomas Jensen Fatemeh Ajalloueian Thomas Litman Clara I. Chamorro Magdalena Fossum |
| author_sort | Oliver Willacy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study explores a novel approach to vaginal reconstructive surgery using autologous tissue grafts, which may provide new therapeutic options for women with congenital or acquired vaginal anomalies. Using a small autologous vaginal tissue segment, we engineered a six-fold expanded graft perioperatively, leveraging the body as a bioreactor and avoiding preoperative tissue culture. In adolescent White New Zealand rabbits, a vaginal defect was created and repaired using a PLATE graft (perioperative, layered, autologous, tissue-expansion graft) containing mucosa, smooth muscle, collagen, and surgical mesh. After seven months, PLATE grafts were well integrated with native tissues, exhibited reduced fibrosis, and enhanced muscle regeneration compared to acellular grafts. Gene analysis revealed upregulation of smooth muscle and ECM organisation markers. Functional validation included successful breeding and vaginal delivery of live pups. PLATE grafts proved safe for vaginal reconstruction in rabbits, presenting a new direction in tissue engineering and expanding surgical options for women. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd17f097b84a418f8cfd3ad421dfe3d6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2948-1716 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd17f097b84a418f8cfd3ad421dfe3d62025-08-20T02:12:58ZengNature Portfolionpj Women's Health2948-17162025-02-013111410.1038/s44294-025-00062-2Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit modelOliver Willacy0Nikolai Juul1August Olsen2Charlotte Egeland3Tu Hu4Mahboobeh Amoushahi5Thomas Jensen6Fatemeh Ajalloueian7Thomas Litman8Clara I. Chamorro9Magdalena Fossum10Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of CopenhagenLaboratory of Tissue Engineering, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of CopenhagenDepartment of Surgery and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital RigshospitaletDepartment of Surgery and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital RigshospitaletDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenLaboratory of Tissue Engineering, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of CopenhagenDepartment of Clinical Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital RigshospitaletDepartment of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, KgsDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, University of CopenhagenLaboratory of Tissue Engineering, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of CopenhagenLaboratory of Tissue Engineering, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of CopenhagenAbstract This study explores a novel approach to vaginal reconstructive surgery using autologous tissue grafts, which may provide new therapeutic options for women with congenital or acquired vaginal anomalies. Using a small autologous vaginal tissue segment, we engineered a six-fold expanded graft perioperatively, leveraging the body as a bioreactor and avoiding preoperative tissue culture. In adolescent White New Zealand rabbits, a vaginal defect was created and repaired using a PLATE graft (perioperative, layered, autologous, tissue-expansion graft) containing mucosa, smooth muscle, collagen, and surgical mesh. After seven months, PLATE grafts were well integrated with native tissues, exhibited reduced fibrosis, and enhanced muscle regeneration compared to acellular grafts. Gene analysis revealed upregulation of smooth muscle and ECM organisation markers. Functional validation included successful breeding and vaginal delivery of live pups. PLATE grafts proved safe for vaginal reconstruction in rabbits, presenting a new direction in tissue engineering and expanding surgical options for women.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00062-2 |
| spellingShingle | Oliver Willacy Nikolai Juul August Olsen Charlotte Egeland Tu Hu Mahboobeh Amoushahi Thomas Jensen Fatemeh Ajalloueian Thomas Litman Clara I. Chamorro Magdalena Fossum Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model npj Women's Health |
| title | Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model |
| title_full | Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model |
| title_fullStr | Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model |
| title_short | Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model |
| title_sort | functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00062-2 |
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