Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
Objectives/Hypothesis: An intact epithelium is an important part of vocal fold defense. Damage to the epithelium can compromise vocal fold homeostasis and protection of the host tissue from viral and bacterial invasion. Elucidating the effects of damage on epithelial architectural and barrier integrity provides insight into the role of epithelium in protecting vocal folds. Using an animal model, we evaluated the time course of structural and functional epithelial restoration following injury. Study Design: Prospective, controlled animal study. Methods: Forty rats underwent surgery to remove vocal fold mucosa unilaterally. Larynges were harvested at five time intervals between 3 to 90 days postinjury and were prepared for histological and permeability analyses. Results: Rapid restoration of structural integrity was demonstrated by return of a multilayerd epithelium, intercellular junctions, and basement membrane at 5 days postinjury. Atypical epithelial permeability was observed up to 5 weeks postinjury. Conclusion: Restoration of epithelial barrier integrity lags epithelial structural restoration. Consequently, epithelial regeneration cannot be equated with return of functional barrier integrity. Rather, ongoing leakiness of regenerated epithelium indicates that vocal folds remain at risk for damage, pathogen invasion, and remodeling postinjury.
DOI
10.1002/lary.24818
PMID
25044022
Recommended Citation
Leydon, C., Imaizumi, M., Yang, D. T., Thibeault, S. L., & Fried, M. (2014). Structural and functional vocal fold epithelial integrity following injury. Laryngoscope, 124(12):2764-9. Doi: 10.1002/lary.24818
Publication
The Laryngoscope
Volume
124
Issue
12
Publisher
Wiley
Pages
2764–2769
Comments
Version posted is the HHS Public Access Author Manuscript.
At the time of publication Ciara Leydon was affiliated with the University of Wisconsin – Madison.