Renjie Bing

Mesenchymal stem cells have antifibrotic effects on transforming growth factor-β1-stimulated vocal fold fibroblasts.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold therapeutic promise for vocal fold scar, yet the precise mechanism(s) underlying tissue level changes remain unclear. We hypothesize that MSCs interact with native fibroblasts to favorably affect healing. Furthermore, we hypothesize that these interactions vary based on MSC source.

The role of Smad3 in the fibrotic phenotype in human vocal fold fibroblasts

To investigate the role of Smad3 as a regulator of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1‐mediated cell activities associated with fibrosis in normal human vocal fold fibroblasts. We also sought to confirm the temporal stability of Smad3 knockdown via small inhibitor ribonucleic acid (siRNA). Vocal fold fibroblasts were employed to determine the effects of Smad3 knockdown on TGF‐β1‐mediated migration and contraction, as well as regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). We hypothesized that Smad3 is an ideal candidate for therapeutic manipulation in vivo based on its role in fibrosis.

Smad3: An emerging target for vocal fold fibrosis

To determine the efficacy of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Smad3 to mediate fibroplasia in vitro, to investigate the temporal regulation of Smad3 following vocal fold (VF) injury, and to determine the local and distal effects of Smad3 siRNA VF injection.

Concurrent oral human papilloma virus infection in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: A preliminary study

To determine oral human papilloma virus (HPV) colonization in patients with adult‐onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (AO‐RRP) and their long‐term partners.

The utility of the potassium titanyl phosphate laser in modulating vocal fold scar in a rat model

We hypothesize that the KTP laser has the potential to augment wound healing in a rat model, and this modality may serve as a therapeutic tool for the management of vocal fold fibrosis.

SMAD3 expression and regulation of fibroplasia in vocal fold injury

Recent reports highlight the efficacy of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting SMAD3 to regulate transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β)‐mediated fibroplasia in vocal fold fibroblasts. The current study sought to investigate SMAD3 expression during wound healing in vivo and quantify the downstream transcriptional events associated with SMAD3 knockdown in vitro.

NR4A1 is an endogenous inhibitor of vocal fold fibrosis

NR4A1 was recently identified as an endogenous inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β–induced fibrosis, and the role of this nuclear receptor has not been elucidated in tissue health or the response to injury in the vocal folds. Given the clinical implications of vocal fold fibrosis, we investigated NR4A1 expression during vocal fold wound healing in vivo and the regulatory roles of NR4A1 on vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) in vitro with the ultimate goal of developing targeted therapies for this challenging patient population.

Development of an in vivo model of laryngeal burn injury.

Inhalation injury significantly increases morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Approximately one in five burn patients have acute injury to the larynx, trachea, and/or lungs—and as many as 70% have long‐term laryngeal abnormalities. Although inhalation injury to the lung has been studied extensively, no models exist to study these insults to the larynx. As such, we developed an in vivo rabbit model to create precise and reproducible laryngeal burn with resultant tissue damage as a foundation for interventional studies.

Preliminary study of a novel transfection modality for in vivo siRNA delivery to vocal fold fibroblasts

An obstacle to clinical use of RNA‐based gene suppression is instability and inefficiency of current delivery modalities. Nanoparticle delivery likely holds great promise, but the kinetics and transfection conditions must be optimized prior to in vivo utility. We investigated a RNA nanoparticle complex incorporating a lipitoid transfection reagent in comparison to a commercially available reagent.

Nanoparticle delivery of RNA‐based therapeutics to alter the vocal fold tissue response to injury

Our laboratory and others hypothesized that Smad3 is a principle mediator of the fibrotic phenotype in the vocal folds (VFs), and we further posited that alteration of Smad3 expression through short interfering (si)RNA holds therapeutic promise, yet delivery remains challenging. To address this issue, we employed a novel synthetic oligomer, lipitoid, complexed with siRNA to improve stability and cellular uptake with the goal of increased efficiency of RNA‐based therapeutics.