Assessment of tissue-engineered stomach derived from isolated epithelium organoid units.

Objective: Isolated stomach epithelial organoid units developed on biodegradable polymers were transplanted to assess the feasibility of a tissue-engineered stomach.
Background: Despite recent advances in reconstruction techniques, total gastrectomy is still accompanied by various complications. An alternative treatment would be a tissue-engineered stomach, which replaces the mechanical and metabolic functions of a normal stomach.
Methods: Stomach epithelial organoid units isolated from neonatal rats were seeded onto biodegradable polymers. The constructs implanted into the omenta of adult rats were harvested for examination at designated times. Nine rats underwent a second operation for anastomosis.
Results: The constructs resulted in cyst-like formations showing vascularized tissue with neomucosa lining the lumen. The surface morphology as assessed using scanning electron microscopy was similar to that of a native stomach. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-actin smooth muscle and gastric mucin indicated the presence of a smooth muscle layer and a well-developed gastric epithelium, respectively. The luminal surface of the anastomosed tissue-engineered stomach was well-covered with epithelium.
Conclusions: Epithelium-derived stomach organoid units seeded on biodegradable polymers and transplanted into donor rats were shown to vascularize, survive, and regenerate into complex tissue resembling native stomach. Anastomosis between the units and native small intestine may have the potential to stimulate epithelial growth. This research may provide insight into new approaches to alleviate complications following total gastrectomy.
(Copyright 2004 Elsevier Inc.)