Professor Noriya Matsuzaki, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Fiona Louis Specially Appointed Researcher, Letterpress Printing Co., Ltd. (Joint Research Course, Advanced Cell Control Science (TOPPAN)), Yoshihiro Motowa, Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine The research group succeeded in reconstructing a mini-sized breast with a vascular network.In a small animal transplantation experiment, this mini-breast was confirmed to have an engraftment rate about twice as high as that of conventional aspirated adipose tissue.
Until now, in breast reconstruction after breast cancer removal, reconstruction using silicone implants has been the mainstream.However, in July 2019, the only approved implant in Japan was discontinued because it was associated with the development of malignant lymphoma, and alternative older implants also cause complications such as breakage, deformation, and capsular contracture. Risks are anxious.On the other hand, autologous tissue reconstruction, in which the patient's own fat is collected and injected, is also performed, but the engraftment rate varies from patient to patient, and there is a problem that the patient is burdened with each transplant. ..
This time, Professor Matsuzaki's group succeeded in constructing an adipose tissue ball (mini-breast) with a functional vascular structure by using a unique precipitation culture technique using type I collagen microfibers.When approximately 100 mini-breasts are transplanted with a syringe, they spontaneously form an aggregate in the body.The vascular network of the mini-breast makes it possible to supply nutrients and oxygen to adipocytes, and shows a higher engraftment rate than the adipocyte injection method and implants currently used.Since the adipose tissue derived from the patient is replicated outside the body, there are advantages such as reduction of the burden on the patient and high safety.
In the future, research aimed at practical application will be promoted as a new breast regenerative medicine that replaces the conventional breast reconstruction surgery.
