Regeneration of emphysematous lungs using gelatin sheets that release basic fibroblast growth factor

Purpose Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induces regeneration and neovascularization of the lungs. We conducted this study to demonstrate the regeneration of emphysematous lungs achieved by gelatin sheets that slowly release bFGF into the visceral pleura in a canine model. Methods Porcine pancreatic elastase was used to induce bilateral lower lobe pulmonary emphysema in dogs. Slow-release bFGF gelatin sheets were attached to the visceral pleura of the left lower lobe via thoracotomy. The subjects were divided into two groups: one treated with gelatin sheets containing slow-release bFGF (bFGF(+) group, n = 5), and the other, treated with only gelatin sheets (bFGF(-) group, n = 5). The subjects were euthanized after 28 days and histologic lung assessment was performed. The results were evaluated in terms of the mean linear intercept (MLI) and microvessel count. Results The MLI was significantly shorter in the bFGF(+) group than in the bFGF(-) group; (110.0 +/- 24.38 vs. 208.9 +/- 33.08 mu m; P = 0.0006). The microvessel count was not significantly different between the bFGF(+) and bFGF(-) groups (12.20 +/- 3.007 vs. 5.35 +/- 2.3425; P = 0.075); however, it was significantly higher in the bFGF-attached lungs than in the emphysema group (12.20 +/- 3.007 vs. 4.57 +/- 0.8896; P = 0.012). Conclusions Attaching gelatin sheets with slow-release bFGF to the visceral pleura induced lung regeneration and vascularization in a canine pulmonary emphysema model.