Development of novel bioabsorbable synthetic grafts for ureteral regeneration

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We have previously reported that the deficient urethras had been successfully regenerated by surgically replacing with the bioabsorbable synthetic tube grafts composed of poly-(lactide/ -caprolactone) copolymer and collagen (Kanatani, et. Al.: Tissue Engineering 13: 2933,2007). Based on these techniques and results, the tube grafts composed of the identical materials were prepared for urethral regeneration. However, unfortunately, the replacement of the rabbit ureter was technically difficult due to the fine diameters of those.Next, we hypothesized that the urinary tract can be repaired by simply wrapping from outside with appropriate materials. At this point, we focused on the behavior of smooth muscle and extracellular matrix. To simplify our experimental design, the rat bladder wall was covered by a gelatin sheet releasing bFGF. As a result, bFGF promoted the bladder smooth muscle proliferation and matrix remodeling, which reinforced the overall bladder contractility (Imamura et.al.:Imamura, et. Al.: American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology 293:F1007,2007).Finally, the rat ureter was wrapped with a bFGF sustained-release geratin sheet. Two weeks later urethral wall hypertrophy associated with a capillary angiogenesis was observed. There will be a need to elucidate whether this phenomenon contributes to functional regeneration of the ureter.