Background: Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications of expander-implant breast reconstruction. Recently, clinical reports have shown that use of an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to cover breast implants decreases incidence of capsular contracture, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we examine how ADM reduces capsular formation in expander-implant breast reconstruction and identify cellular and molecular mechanisms of ADM-mediated reduction of capsular contracture in nonirradiated and irradiated patients.
Methods: Thirty patients who underwent immediate two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction were included; 15 received radiotherapy. While the tissue expander was changed to permanent silicone implant, biopsies of the subpectoral capsule and ADM capsule were performed. Capsule thickness, immunohistochemistry of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), vimentin, CD31, F4/80 expression, αSMA and CD31 coexpression, and relative gene expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B were investigated.
Results: Irradiated submuscular capsules were thicker than nonirradiated submuscular capsules, but the thickness of ADM capsules did not significantly differ between nonirradiated and irradiated groups. Levels of myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, vascularity, EndoMT, and macrophages were significantly lower in ADM capsules than in submuscular capsules. With the exception of EndoMT, all others were increased in irradiated submuscular capsules compared with nonirradiated submuscular capsule, while none significantly differed between nonirradiated and irradiated ADM capsules.
Conclusions: Use of ADM reduced myofibroblasts, vascularity, fibroblasts, and EndoMT in capsule tissues. Moreover, ADM use decreased macrophages, a key regulator of tissue fibrosis, as well as TGF-β1 and PDGF-B expression. We hope that these results provide basic concepts important for prevention of capsular contracture.