Secondary lymphedema is a lifelong and occasionally life-threatening disease that often occurs as a consequence of axillary clearance for breast cancer. Regeneration of lymphatic tissues and restoration of lymph flow through a fibrotic scar are two basic essentials for the treatment of secondary lymphedema. Human mesenchymal stem cells hold great therapeutic potential due to their effectiveness in stimulating host tissue regeneration via secreting numerous pro-regenerative factors dependent on the specific demands of the type and stage of injury. We utilize human mesenchymal stem cells to fabricate both cell sheet fragments as well as a completely biological tissue-engineered lymphatic collecting vessel, with the purpose to significantly reduce lymphatic edema and improve lymphatic regeneration via the in-site formation of functional lymphatic vasculature and the restoration of lymphatic drainage.
Schematic for the mechanism of action of the tissue engineered lymphatic precollector sheet.
Graphical Abstract of published paper “Fibroblast-Generated Extracellular Matrix Guides Anastomosis during Wound Healing in an Engineered Lymphatic Skin Flap.”