# Augmenting Vocal Fold Repair Using an Optimized Lamina Propria Extracellular Matrix Derived Hydrogel

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH · 2021 · $571,970

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Voice impairment is the most common communication disorder with nearly 20 million people in the US reporting
symptoms of dysphonia annually. The cost of treatment and lost wages for this disorder is approaching $13
billion. The etiology of these disorders is diverse, but given their anatomic location, the vocal folds (VFs) are
susceptible to a multitude of injurious stimuli, including reflux of gastric contents, iatrogenic injury, and the
inherent trauma associated with voice production. Injury can result in altered lamina propria (LP) architecture
resulting in aberrant phonatory physiology. To date, no treatment restores the native VF extracellular matrix
(ECM) composition, structure, and function following VF injury which likely underlies suboptimal outcomes for
patients with VF scar.
Extracellular matrix derived scaffolds, if appropriately processed, can be used as resorbable and naturally
derived biomaterials with a safe record of clinical use that promote constructive tissue remodeling. Tissue-
specific ECM hydrogels are ideal for clinical application, particularly given the emerging practice and distinct
advantages of in-office procedures using minimally invasive approaches. Work from our group and others
provide promising data regarding the role of decellularized vocal fold lamina propria (VFLP-ECM) as a
therapeutic scaffold. We broadly hypothesize that VFLP-ECM will evolve into clinical practice to provide a
scaffold that promotes functional repair of the VFs. Specifically, we seek to develop an injectable vocal fold
lamina propria hydrogel (VFLP-ECMh) that will degrade over time while harnessing the stimulatory effects of the
ECM to drive vocal fold tissue remodeling.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146845
- **Project number:** 5R01DC017743-03
- **Recipient organization:** NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Donald O Freytes
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $571,970
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-04 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146845

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146845, Augmenting Vocal Fold Repair Using an Optimized Lamina Propria Extracellular Matrix Derived Hydrogel (5R01DC017743-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146845. Licensed CC0.

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