Age-related myofibroblastic activation in vocal folds wound-healing: physiopathological interaction in the extracellular matrix remodeling

• Grant number: 13/04747-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 02, 2013
• End date: January 01, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Regina Helena Garcia Martins
• Grantee: Anete Antunes de Oliveira Branco
• Supervisor: Susan L. Thibeault
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/10174-0 - Immunohistochemistry study of lamina propria of the larynx related to the aging process, BP.DR

Abstract

The fibroblasts present in the layers of the vocal chords are responsible for the synthesis of the entire extracellular material, playing a key role in supporting the lamina propria both in normal physiological conditions and in the diseases and more recently in aging. When tissue is injured, they become activated and differentiate into myofibroblasts, which generate a large contraction and activation of extracellular matrix proteins in order to facilitate wound healing. We hypothesize the existence of a mechanism of interaction and intercellular communication remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the healing process of the vocal folds through aging. Objectives: To investigate the myofibroblastic activation in vocal fold scarring process associated with aging. Methods: will be used three human larynges, of both sexes, aged 50 years, one of which carries and two normal scar. Will be excluded laryngeal surgeries and previous smoking history. The method will follow that described by Vyas et al (2010) and Jetté et al (2013). After removal of the vocal folds, there will be the isolation of fibroblasts and subsequent culture. Then be used TGF-ß1 and ±-SMA in the differentiation of primary fibroblasts and IL-6 in the differentiation of myofibroblasts. For an in vivo modeling, will be studied the effect of TGF-ß1 in the vocal folds of rabbits to determine the induction of differentiation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Analysis of identification and categorization of fibroblasts is accomplished by means of immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and Western Blotting. (AU)