Tracheal Macrophages During Regeneration and Repair of Long-Segment Airway Defects

Objectives/hypothesis: Tissue-engineered tracheal grafts (TETGs) offer a potential solution for repair of long-segment airway defects. However, preclinical and clinical TETGs have been associated with chronic inflammation and macrophage infiltration. Macrophages express great phenotypic heterogeneity (generally characterized as classically activated [M1] vs. alternatively activated [M2]) and can influence tracheal repair and regeneration. We quantified and characterized infiltrating host macrophages using mouse microsurgical tracheal replacement models.

Study design: Translational research, animal model.

Methods: We assessed macrophage infiltration and phenotype in animals implanted with syngeneic tracheal grafts, synthetic TETGs, or partially decellularized tracheal scaffolds (DTSs).

Results: Macrophage infiltration was observed following tracheal replacement with syngeneic trachea. Both M1 and M2 macrophages were present in native trachea and increased during early tracheal repair (P = .014), with an M1/M2 ratio of 0.48 ± 0.15. In contrast, orthotopic implantation of synthetic TETGs resulted in a shift to M1 predominant macrophage phenotype with an increased M1/M2 ratio of 1.35 ± 0.41 by 6 weeks following implant (P = .035). Modulation of the synthetic scaffold with the addition of polyglycolic acid (PGA) resulted in a reduction of M1/M2 ratio due to an increase in M2 macrophages (P = .006). Using systemic macrophage depletion, the M1/M2 ratio reverted to native values in synthetic TETG recipients and was associated with an increase in graft epithelialization. Macrophage ratios seen in DTSs were similar to native values.

Conclusions: M1 and M2 macrophages are present during tracheal repair. Poor epithelialization with synthetic TETG is associated with an elevation of the M1/M2 ratio. Macrophage phenotype can be altered with scaffold composition and host-directed systemic therapies. DTSs exhibit M1/M2 ratios similar to those seen in native trachea and syngeneic tracheal replacement.

Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 132:737-746, 2022.