Alteration in cellular morphology, density and distribution in rat vocal fold mucosa following injury

• Published in: Wound repair and regeneration Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 89 - 97
• Main Authors: Ling, Changying, Yamashita, Masaru, Waselchuk, Emily A., Raasch, Jennifer L., Bless, Diane M., Welham, Nathan V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-01-2010
• Subjects: Animals; Laryngeal Mucosa - pathology; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vocal Cords - injuries; Vocal Cords - pathology
• ISSN: 1067-1927; 1524-475X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-475X.2009.00550.x

ABSTRACT
The vocal fold mucosa plays an important role in voice production. Its cellular composition and density frequently change under various pathological conditions, often contributing to altered extracellular matrix production, tissue viscoelasticity, and voice quality. In this study, cellular changes in the rat mucosa following a unilateral stripping injury were investigated and analyzed semi‐quantitatively. Distinctive and sequential changes in cellular morphology, composition, and density were observed in the mucosa post‐injury. Cellular recruitment was a major event during the early stage of injury and reached its peak level by day 5 post‐injury. Several types of cells, including neutrophil‐like cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblast‐like cells, were sequentially recruited. The sequential emergence of reactive cell populations following injury and subsequent reconstruction of the mucosa suggests their involvement in vocal fold tissue repair and scar formation processes.