Abstract
Objective: Using a functional model of airway granulation tissue in subglottic stenosis, we investigated changes in inflammatory markers within granulation tissue in response to intraperitoneal dexamethasone injections. Changes in inflammatory markers will allow us to identify potential targets for immunological therapy.
Method: Laryngotracheal complexes (LTCs) of donor mice underwent airway injury. Donor LTCs were transplanted into subcutaneous tissue of recipient mice in 2 groups: steroid-treated and untreated. The steroid-treated arm received intraperitoneal dexamethasone for 3 weeks. LTCs were then harvested. Granulation formation was measured; mRNA expression of TGF-beta and IL-1b was quantified.
Results: At 3 weeks’ posttransplantation, there were statistically significant differences in observable granulation formation as well as mRNA expression of TGF-beta 1 and IL-1b in all groups within the steroid treated arm as compared to the untreated arm.
Conclusion: Systemic steroids have been used to prevent formation of granulation tissue. However, the study of immunologic markers and the corresponding changes with steroid treatment has not been well studied in animal models. Using a previously described novel murine model, we begin to delineate inflammatory markers for potential therapeutic targets.
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