Emerging Scientist: Vocal Fold Immunology

In adults the immune system is intimately involved in restoring function lost after injury. If it is poorly regulated, the initial protective reactions that encompass wound healing can lead to pathologic changes in the vocal fold that are particularly problematic to voice quality. Inflammatory injuries can contribute to pathophysiology of benign vocal fold lesions or scarring. Cells and molecules of the innate immune system are responsible for fighting off challenges and returning the tissue to its pre-injured state. This review briefly discusses aspects of the immune system with a focus on acute inflammation and confers immunological barriers to biomaterial and cell-based approaches for restoration of the voice. Increasing the awareness of laryngeal immunology will facilitate better understanding of the obstacles being faced in bench research and highlight the need for further work.