Transplanted human multipotent stromal cells reduce acute tongue fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND: Tongue fibrosis resulting from head and neck cancer, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination thereof devastates one's quality of life. Therapeutic options are limited. Here we investigate human bone marrow–derived multipotent stromal cells (MSC) as a novel injectable treatment for post‐injury tongue fibrosis. METHODS: MSCs were grown in culture. Eighteen athymic rats underwent unilateral partial glossectomy. After two weeks for scar formation, a single injection was performed in the tongue scar. Three treatment groups were studied: low and high concentration MSC, and control media injection. Tongues were harvested for evaluation at three weeks post‐treatment. RESULTS: Dense fibrosis was achieved in control animals at five weeks. High concentration MSC reduced cross sectional scar burden (P = .007) and pathologic score for inflammation and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: This study establishes the feasibility of a novel rodent tongue fibrosis model, and begins to assess the utility of human MSCs to reduce scar burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/a