Development and validation of a novel phonomimetic bioreactor

PLoS One. 2019 Mar 14;14(3):e0213788. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213788. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Vocal fold fibroblasts (VFF) constitute the main cell type of the vocal fold's lamina propria, produce the extracellular matrix and thereby determine the tissue characteristics. To study VFF behavior under in vitro conditions it is important to mimic the dynamic environment of the in vivo state. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a novel phonomimetic bioreactor system mainly based on commercially available components. The use of cell culture dishes with flexible silicone bottoms in combination with a suitable loudspeaker made it possible to expose the cells to various kinds of phonatory stimuli. The fundamental vibration characteristics of silicone membranes were investigated with and without cell culture medium by laser Doppler vibrometry. Human VFF were seeded in flexible-bottomed plates and placed in a custom-made housing containing a loudspeaker. After the cells were exposed to a predefined audio stimulation protocol, cell viability was assessed and gene as well as protein expression levels were compared to static controls. Laser Doppler vibrometry revealed that addition of cell culture medium changed the resonance frequencies of vibrating membranes. Gene expression of hyaluronan synthase 2, collagen III, fibronectin and TGFβ-1 was significantly upregulated in VFF exposed to vibration, compared to static control. Vibration also significantly upregulated collagen I gene and protein expression. We present a new type of phonomimetic bioreactor. Compared to previous models, our device is easy to assemble and cost-effective, yet can provide a wide spectrum of phonatory stimuli based on the entire dynamic range of the human voice. Gene expression data of VFF cultured in our phonomimetic bioreactor show a significant effect of vibration on ECM metabolism, which illustrates the efficacy of our device.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetic Materials*
  • Bioreactors*
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media
  • Equipment Design
  • Extracellular Matrix / physiology*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Vibration
  • Vocal Cords / physiology*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • TGFB1 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.