Using a 3D collagen matrix to deliver respiratory progenitor cells to decellularized trachea in vivo

Airway epithelial cells are a key barrier to inhaled toxicants, pollutants and infectious agents. During severe epithelial injury and in transplantation settings, it would be desirable to rapidly reintroduce a functional epithelium through the engraftment of exogenous cells or by promoting host regeneration. However, the three-dimensional surface of the airway and the requirement to maintain airflow using stents, which cause mechanical shear at...