Vocal fold-mimetic environment for fibroblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell

We are interested in developing tissue engineering strategies for the restoration of functional vocal fold lamina propria. Towards this goal, we have developed a bioreactor capable of imposing physiologically-relevant, vibratory stimulations to the cultured cells. Stem cells-laden electrospun scaffolds were incorporated into the bioreactor and were subjected to a high frequency vibration at 200 Hz for a total of 7 days. Cellular responses to the dynamic treatments were evaluated at gene and protein levels. Our results suggest that the fibrous scaffolds created a vocal fold-like niche that allows for hMSCs to respond to the high frequency vibration via an integrin-mediated mechanotransduction mechanism. Overall, the vibratory stimulation is a potent regulator of the cell fate.