A TISSUE-CULTURE MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF CANINE VOCAL FOLD FIBROBLASTS

A tissue-culture model has been developed for the study of fibroblasts from the canine vocal fold. Laryngeal tissue (lamina propria) obtaine d from euthanized dogs is rinsed, cut into 1-mm3 pieces, and incubated in 5% carbon dioxide at 37-degrees-C. A confluent monolayer is establ ished within several days. Detectable levels of elastin in the tissue culture supernatant are measured by an indirect enzyme-linked immunoso rbent assay. Various external agents have been shown to affect elastin production. The effects of KTP laser irradiation, hydrocortisone (1.3 mumol/L), transforming growth factor-beta (10 ng/mL), and human leuko cyte elastase have been measured. Thus the canine vocal fold fibroblas t tissue culture is established as a model for further investigations to improve wound healing and to understand the wound-healing process f ollowing laryngeal microsurgery.