Transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells combined with decellularized cartilage ECM: a novel approach to nasal septum perforation repair.

Nasal septal perforation, a defect of the nasal mucoperichondrium and cartilage, may induce epistaxis, persistent rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction. Cell-based tissue engineering is a promising therapeutic method for the treatment of nasal septal perforation. However, lack of an adequate source of cells and unsuitable biomaterials greatly hinder the development of cell-based therapy. In this paper, we proposed the application of adipose-derived stem cells combined with decellularized cartilage ECM as a potential graft for the damaged nasal septum, which could help to repair the mucosal and cartilage tissues in the treatment of nasal septal perforation. This new technology could play a novel role in the repair of nasal septal perforation, and in regeneration of damaged nasal cartilage.