Hilton Kaplan, MBBCh, FCSSA, PhD

Rutgers University

Decellularized Neurovascular Bundle for Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction

Dr. Kaplan is a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon and Biomedical Engineer with research interests in craniofacial reconstruction using decellularized tissues, and tissue engineering. He is an Associate Research Professor in the NJ Center for Biomaterials at Rutgers University, and an Adjunct Professor in Regulatory Science at the University of Southern California. Dr. Kaplan has held various clinical and research positions across academia and industry, including Senior Medical Director at Allergan (Fortune 500 healthcare) and Vice President of Clinical Sciences at LifeCell (pioneer in decellularizing dermis). He is a founding board member of the non-profits Grossman Burn Foundation, and Look at Us Alliance for Craniofacial Differences.

Abstract:

In traumatic facial injuries, such as large craniomaxillofacial defects and massive burn scarring, quality of life is dependent on restoring form and function. Regeneration within scarred soft tissues and large bony defects are highly dependent on robust vascular supply and sensory-motor reinnervation. Decellularized bone and soft-tissues, such as dermis and nerve grafts, are commercially available for smaller defects, i.e. those that do not require regeneration through a large 3D volume of tissue. For autologous tissues: graft take generally requires proximity of ~5mm to vascular supply, and nerve autografts exceeding 10cm should be vascularized. We therefore hypothesize that decellularized neurovascular bundles (NVBs) can be re- endothelialized and implanted into large areas of relatively avascular, asensate and/or paralyzed scar tissue; and that in so doing, these defects may be successfully reconstructed by techniques that have otherwise thus far remained suitable to smaller defects only. This research aims to make decellularized allogeneic NVBs available so that craniofacial reconstructions may be performed successfully despite the absence of local autograft vessels and nerves. This will be explored in a rodent animal model using perfusion decellularization techniques and whole-organ bioreactors for recellularization.

Publications

1. Kaplan HM. Regulating non-viable tissue. Chapter. Section: Regulatory pathways and barriers to implementation of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Richmond FJ, Section ed. In: Warburton D, ed. “Encyclopedia of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine”. USA: Elsevier. In Press, Apr 2018.

2. Kaplan HM. Regulating non-viable tissue. Elsevier Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. USA: Elsevier Online. In Press, Apr 2018.

Presentations:

1. Kaplan HM, Woloszyn DJ, Chueng D, Rupertus N, Njeze OB, Luo J, Gerli M, Lee KB, Ott H, Kohn J. Engineering autologous human neurovascular bundles from decellularized xenogeneic ones for regenerative medicine applications. Proceedings. 10th Symposium on Biologic Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine. Napa, CA. 3-5 May 2018. (Attached)

2. Kaplan HM, Woloszyn DJ, Chueng D, Rupertus N, Njeze OB, Luo J, Gerli M, Lee KB, Ott H, Kohn J. Engineering autologous human neurovascular bundles from decellularized xenogeneic ones for reconstructive microsurgery. Proceedings. 2018 Am Soc Reconstr Microsurg (ASRM) Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. 13-16 Jan 2018.

3. Kaplan HM, Woloszyn DJ, Chueng D, Rupertus N, Njeze OB, Luo J, Gerli M, Lee KB, Ott H, Kohn J. Tissue engineering applications for autologous human neurovascular bundles engineered from xenogeneic ones. Proceedings. 2017 NJ Symposium on Biomaterials Science. Iselin, NJ. 23-24 Oct 2017.

4. Rupertus N, Kaplan H, Woloszyn D, Njeze O, Chang W, Kohn J. Designing a perfusion based multiapplication bioreactor system. Poster. 2017 Summer Student Research Symposium. Piscataway, NJ. 11 Aug 2017.

5. Njeze O, Kaplan H, Woloszyn D, Rupertus N, Chang W, Kohn J. Gas exchange within a perfusion bioreactor system. Poster. 2017 Summer Student Research Symposium. Piscataway, NJ. 11 Aug 2017.

6. Kaplan HM. Regenerative Medicine for Reconstructive Surgery Applications. Grand Rounds. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Lebanon, NH. 5 May 2017.

7. Kaplan HM, Chang W, Bhatnagar D, Kohn J. Strategies for bridging large gaps in peripheral nerve regeneration. Proceedings. 2016 NJ Symposium on Biomaterials Science. Iselin, NJ. 24-25 Oct 2016.

8. Kaplan HM, Gerli MFM, Woloszyn DJ, Chueng D, Lee KB, Kohn J, Ott H. Regenerating decellularized Neurovascular Bundles to support engineered and diseased tissues, and hybrid synthetic scaffolds. Proceedings. 9th Symposium on Biologic Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine. Napa, CA. April 2016.

9. Woloszyn DJ,* Kaplan HM,* Jain I, Nirgudkar N, Richtmyer M, Sotolongo J, Kohn J. Techniques for harvesting and decellularizing Neurovascularized Muscle to replace autologous free flaps: A comparison between immersion and perfusion decellularization. Poster. 9th Symposium on Biologic Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine. Napa, CA. April 2016. [* Equal Contributions].

10. Kaplan HM. Present and future ECM-derived products in wound care and soft tissue reconstruction. Proceedings. 2015 NJ Symposium on Biomaterials Science. New Brunswick, NJ. 9 Nov 2015.