Grants Funded

Abstract

Project Summary: This proposal investigates the use of costal chondrocytes as a cellular source to engineer cartilage constructs for reconstruction for microtia and other malformations and defects requiring cartilage. This is explored through a series of aims designed to test the chondrogenic properties of both costal cartilage and microtic cartilage-derived chondrocytes from paired donors in vitro and in vivo after seeding onto a novel decellularized cadaveric auricular scaffold. Constructs will be co-cultured with and without adipose-derived stem cells to optimize chondrogenic function. The aims of this proposal will test the following central hypothesis: costal chondrocytes will provide an alternative and favorable source of chondrocytes to seed a novel decellularized tissue scaffold when compared to microtic chondrocytes and the addition of adipose-derived stem cells will augment chondrocyte function to optimize cartilage construct generation.

Impact Statement: The current proposal aims to investigate the utility of costal cartilage-derived chondrocytes using an optimized decellularized cadaveric auricular cartilage scaffold. Despite an overwhelming number of studies reporting on various techniques to generate an auricular framework for reconstruction, only a select few have demonstrated preliminary, and promising, translational results. This proposal will identify the optimal cell source and conditions for construct seeding to improve tissue engineered cartilage construct generation. This proposal shifts the focus to a cell source not previously emphasized and tissue scaffold readily available, theoretically simplifying and streamlining the process to create a more accessible construct for reconstruction. Further, the use of adipose-derived stem.

Biography
Miles J. Pfaff is a craniomaxillofacial surgeon at the University of California, Irvine, and at Children's Hospital of Orange County. He currently holds the title of Assistant Professor within the Department of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Pfaff completed his undergraduate studies in cellular and molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Pfaff then went on to complete his medical training at Yale School of Medicine. While at Yale, Dr. Pfaff completed a National Institutes of Health research fellowship and earned a Master’s degree focused on investigating the complex biological mechanisms that result in premature suture fusion, also known as craniosynostosis. He completed his Plastic Surgery training and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Fellowship at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh, respectively. Dr. Pfaff’s clinic interest including microtia and auricular reconstruction, nasal reconstruction, and pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery. Dr. Pfaff directs the Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s Ear Anomalies Program. Dr. Pfaff’s current research interests include craniofacial clinical outcomes, clinical innovation (including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve clinical outcomes), and translational research. Dr. Pfaff is a member of the UCI Center for Tissue Engineering, a laboratory dedicated to translational innovation and tissue engineering.