Slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) enhances mechanical properties of rat trachea

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery 2015-02, Vol.50 (2), p.255-259
• Main Authors: Ishimaru, Tetsuya, Komura, Makoto, Sugiyama, Masahiko, Komura, Hiroko, Arai, Mari, Fujishiro, Jun, Uotani, Chizue, Miyakawa, Kyohei, Kakihara, Tomo, Hoshi, Kazuto, Takato, Tsuyoshi, Tabata, Yasuhiko, Komuro, Hiroaki, Iwanaka, Tadashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF); Bronchomalacia; Disease Models, Animal; Elasticity; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable - pharmacology; Male; Pediatrics; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Surgery; Trachea - physiopathology; Tracheal cartilage; Tracheomalacia; Tracheomalacia - physiopathology; Tracheomalacia - therapy
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2014.11.012

Abstract Aim Severe tracheomalacia is a life-threatening disease, but symptoms usually improve with growth. The aims of this study were to investigate how slow release basic-Fibroblast Growth Factor (b-FGF) acts on tracheal cartilage, and whether growth-promoted trachea is more resistant against an increase in externally-applied pressure. Methods Biodegradable gelatin hydrogel sheets soaked in 10 μl of distilled water (sham) or 0.5 or 5 μg/10 μl of b-FGF solution were inserted behind the cervical trachea of three-week-old male Wistar rats. The cervical trachea was harvested 4 weeks later. Extratracheal pressure was increased from 0 to 40 cmH2 O in a chamber, while video-recording the internal lumen. The luminal area at each pressure was expressed as a proportion to that at 0 cmH2 O. The amounts of collagen type II and glycosaminoglycan were measured by ELISA. Results The luminal areas at 40 cmH2 O in the control (no intervention), sham, and each of the b-FGF groups were 0.65, 0.62, 0.72, and 0.73, respectively. The amounts of collagen type II and glycosaminoglycan in each group were 127, 136, 193, 249 μg/mg, respectively, and 15, 16, 19, 33 μg/mg, respectively. There were significant differences between the control group and the FGF 5 group ( P = 0.02, 0.01, 0.01, for luminal area, collagen, and glycosaminoglycan, respectively). Conclusion 5 μg of slow-release b-FGF promotes matrix production (collagen type II and glycosaminoglycan). The growth-enhanced trachea was more resistant to collapse, suggesting that slowly released b-FGF might be useful in patients with severe tracheomalacia.