Enhancing lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic drainage to vascularized lymph nodes with nanofibrillar collagen scaffolds

Abstract Background This study investigated the effect of nanofibrillar collagen scaffold (BioBridge) implantation from the affected limb to the unaffected contralateral femoral vein or lymph node in a rat model. Methods Hind limb lymphedema in Lewis rats was created with lymphadenectomy and inguinal circumcision without radiation. The volumetric difference (greater than 5%) using computed tomography and indocyanine green fluorescence evaluated the progress of lymphedema at 4 weeks. The lymphedema rats have separated into Group I: Controls; Group II: implanted BioBridge to the contralateral femoral vein; and Group III: implanted BioBridge to the contralateral inguinal lymph node. Results A total of 14 of 30 (46.7%) rats developed hind limb lymphedema with a mean volume difference of 5.83 ± 0.99% and showed diffuse dermal backflow at 4 weeks postlymphadenectomy. Four weeks postimplantation of BioBridge, the mean volumetric difference was 5.62 ± 2.11%, 4.97 ± 0.59%, and −2.47 ± 2.37% in Group I, II, and III, respectively ( p < 0.05). The dermal backflow on the affected limb increased in Groups I and II but decreased in Group III. Conclusions Implantation of BioBridge from the affected limb to the contralateral inguinal lymph node significantly reduced the hind limb lymphedema at 4 weeks.