The component leaching from decellularized pericardial bioscaffolds and its implication in the macrophage response

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering: Current Techniques and Challenges

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of global mortality. Over the past two decades, researchers have tried to provide novel solutions for end-stage heart failure to address cardiac transplantation hurdles such as donor organ shortage, chronic rejection, and life-long immunosuppression. Cardiac decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been widely explored as a promising approach in tissue-regenerative medicine because of its remarkable similarity to the original tissue. Optimized decellularization protocols combining physical, chemical, and enzymatic agents have been developed to obtain the perfect balance between cell removal, ECM composition, and function maintenance. However, proper assessment of decellularized tissue composition is still needed before clinical translation. Recellularizing the acellular scaffold with organ-specific cells and evaluating the extent of cardiomyocyte repopulation is also challenging. This review aims to discuss the existing literature on decellularized cardiac scaffolds, especially on the advantages and methods of preparation, pointing out areas for improvement. Finally, an overview of the state of research regarding the application of cardiac dECM and future challenges in bioengineering a human heart suitable for transplantation is provided.

Decellularization of porcine esophageal tissue at three diameters and the bioscaffold modification with EETs-ECM gel

Damaged complex modular organs repair is a current clinical challenge in which one of the primary goals is to keep their biological response. An interesting case of study it is the porcine esophagus since it is a tubular muscular tissue selected as raw material for tissue engineering. The design of esophageal constructs can draw on properties of the processed homologous extracellular matrix (ECM). In this work, we report the decellularization of multilayered esophagus tissue from 1-, 21- and 45-days old piglets through the combination of reversible alkaline swelling and detergent perfusion. The bioscaffolds were characterized in terms of their residual composition and tensile mechanical properties. The biological response to esophageal submucosal derived bioscaffolds modified with ECM gel containing epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) was then evaluated. Results suggest that the composition (laminin, fibronectin, and sulphated glycosaminoglycans/sGAG) depends on the donor age: a better efficiency of the decellularization process combined with a higher retention of sGAG and fibronectin is observed in piglet esophageal scaffolds. The heterogeneity of this esophageal ECM is maintained, which implied the preservation of anisotropic tensile properties. Coating of bioscaffolds with ECM gel is suitable for carrying esophageal epithelial cells and EETs. Bioactivity of EETs-ECM gel modified esophageal submucosal bioscaffolds is observed to promote neovascularization and antiinflammatory after rabbit full-thickness esophageal defect replacement.

[Biocompatibility and effect on bone formation of a native acellular porcine pericardium: Results of in vitro and in vivo]

OBJECTIVE

To examine the morphology and biocompatibility of a native acellular porcine pericardium (APP) in vitro and to evaluate its barrier function and effects on osteogenesis when used in guided bone regeneration (GBR) in vivo.

METHODS

First, the morphology of APP (BonanGen^Ⓡ) was detected using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Next, for biocompatibility test, proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) after being seeded 1, 3 and 7 days. Meanwhile, the cells stained with phalloidine and 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to view the morphology of cell adhesion and pattern of cell proliferation on day 5. A 3-Beagle dog model with 18 teeth extraction sockets was used for the further research in vivo. These sites were randomly treated by 3 patterns below: filled with Bio-Oss^Ⓡand coverd by APP membrane (APP group), filled with Bio-Oss^Ⓡand covered by Bio-Gide^Ⓡmembrane (BG group) and natural healing (blank group). Micro-CT and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) were performed after 4 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

A bilayer and three-dimensional porous ultrastructure was identified for APP through SEM. In vitro, APP facilitated proliferation and adhesion of hBMSCs, especially after 7 days (P < 0.05). In vivo, for the analysis of the whole socket healing, no distinct difference of new bone ratio was found between all the three groups after 4 weeks (P>0.05), however significantly more new bone regeneration was detected in APP group and BG group in comparison to blank group after 12 weeks (P < 0.05). The radio of bone formation below the membrane was significantly higher in APP group and BG group than blank group after 4 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05), however, the difference between APP group and BG group was merely significant in 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Besides, less resorption of buccal crest after 4 weeks and 12 weeks was observed in APP group of a significant difference compared in blank group (P < 0.05). The resorption in BG group was slightly lower than blank group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

APP showed considerable biocompatibility and three-dimentional structure. Performing well as a barrier membrane in the dog alveolar ridge preservation model, APP significantly promoted bone regeneration below it and reduced buccal crest resorption. On the basis of this study, APP is a potential osteoconductive and osteoinductive biomaterial.

Decellularized scaffold and its elicited immune response towards the host: the underlying mechanism and means of immunomodulatory modification

The immune response of the host towards a decellularized scaffold is complex. Not only can a number of immune cells influence this process, but also the characteristics, preparation and modification of the decellularized scaffold can significantly impact this reaction. Such factors can, together or alone, trigger immune cells to polarize towards either a pro-healing or pro-inflammatory direction. In this article, we have comprehensively reviewed factors which may influence the immune response of the host towards a decellularized scaffold, including the source of the biomaterial, biophysical properties or modifications of the scaffolds with bioactive peptides, drugs and cytokines. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism has also been recapitulated.

Evaluation of Supercritical CO2-Assisted Protocols in a Model of Ovine Aortic Root Decellularization

One of the leading trends in the modern tissue engineering is the development of new effective methods of decellularization aimed at the removal of cellular components from a donor tissue, reducing its immunogenicity and the risk of rejection. Supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂)-assisted processing has been proposed to improve the outcome of decellularization, reduce contamination and time costs. The resulting products can serve as personalized tools for tissue-engineering therapy of various somatic pathologies. However, the decellularization of heterogeneous 3D structures, such as the aortic root, requires optimization of the parameters, including preconditioning medium composition, the type of co-solvent, values of pressure and temperature inside the scCO₂ reactor, etc. In our work, using an ovine aortic root model, we performed a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of decellularization approaches based on various combinations of these parameters. The protocols were based on the combinations of treatments in alkaline, ethanol or detergent solutions with scCO₂-assisted processing at different modes. Histological analysis demonstrated favorable effects of the preconditioning in a detergent solution. Following processing in scCO₂ medium provided a high decellularization degree, reduced cytotoxicity, and increased ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the aortic valve leaflets, while the integrity of the extracellular matrix was preserved.

Acellular pericardium: A naturally hierarchical, osteoconductive, and osteoinductive biomaterial for guided bone regeneration

There is great demand for an improved barrier membrane with osteogenic potential for guided bone regeneration (GBR). Natural acellular porcine pericardium (APP) is increasingly used in regenerative medicine as a kind of common extracellular matrix materials. This study aimed to investigate its potential application in GBR, especially its osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Bio-Gide (BG), a commercial collagen membrane, was set as the control group. APP samples were characterized by physicochemical analyses and their biological effects on human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) were also examined. Additionally, the osteogenic potential of APP was tested on a bilateral critical-sized calvarial defect model. We discovered that the smooth surface of APP tended to recruit more hBMSCs. Moreover, promoted proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs was detected on this side of APP, with increased alkaline phosphatase activity and upregulated expression of bone-specific genes. Besides, the rough side of APP showed good biocompatibility and barrier function with hGFs. Histologic observation and analysis of calvarial defect healing over 4 weeks revealed enhanced bone regeneration under APP compared with BG and the control group. The results of this study indicate that APP is a potential osteoconductive and osteoinductive biomaterial for GBR.

Mammalian Pericardium-Based Bioprosthetic Materials in Xenotransplantation and Tissue Engineering

Bioprosthetic materials based on mammalian pericardium tissue are the gold standard in reconstructive surgery. Their application range covers repair of rectovaginal septum defects, abdominoplastics, urethroplasty, duraplastics, maxillofacial, ophthalmic, thoracic and cardiovascular reconstruction, etc. However, a number of factors contribute to the success of their integration into the host tissue including structural organization, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, immunogenicity, surface chemistry, and biodegradability. In order to improve the material's properties, various strategies are developed, such as decellularization, crosslinking, and detoxification. In this review, the existing issues and long-term achievements in the development of bioprosthetic materials based on the mammalian pericardium tissue, aimed at a wide-spectrum application in reconstructive surgery are analyzed. The basic technical approaches to preparation of biocompatible forms providing continuous functioning, optimization of biomechanical and functional properties, and clinical applicability are described.

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Materials for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is a promising biomaterial for repairing cardiovascular tissue, as dECM most effectively captures the complex array of proteins, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and many other matrix components that are found in native tissue, providing ideal cues for regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium. dECM can be used in a variety of forms, such as solid scaffolds that maintain native matrix structure, or as soluble materials that can form injectable hydrogels for tissue repair. dECM has found recent success in many regeneration and repair therapies, such as for musculoskeletal, neural, and liver tissues. This review focuses on dECM in the context of cardiovascular applications, with variations in tissue and species sourcing, and specifically discusses advances in solid and soluble dECM development, in vitro studies, in vivo implementation, and clinical translation.

Effect of varying the crosslinking degree of a pericardial implant with oligourethane on the repair of a rat full-thickness abdominal wall defect

The stability and bioactivity of biologic implants rely mainly on the control of the crosslinking process of collagen. However, the most common methods have no control on the crosslinking degree producing it excessively. This study outlines the role of crosslinking of collagen-based implants with oligourethane on the host response following reconstruction of a rat full-thickness abdominal wall defect. We decellularized and crosslinked bovine pericardial tissue to achieve two crosslinking degrees. For the decellularized implants, named as non-crosslinked (N-CL), the collagen-amines were 0.42 ± 0.02 mmol/mg. Crosslinking by the oligourethane reduced the primary amine concentration to 0.28 ± 0.01 and 0.19 ± 0.01 mmol/mg; these values were classified as low (∼30%, L-CL) and medium crosslinking (∼50%, M-CL), respectively. By imaging the implants using second harmonic generation microscopy, we observed undulated bundles of collagen fibers organized in multi-directed layers localized in N-CL and L-CL samples. Post-implantation, a negligible change in the organization of collagen fibers in the crosslinked implants was observed, suggesting that the in vivo biodegradation was delayed. An enlargement of the implant area was also observed, without rupture, in all three (N-CL, L-CL, M-CL) materials, whereas adhesion to the omentum, but not to the bowel, was observed. The number of blood vessels after 90-day implantation in N-CL and L-CL was 13 ± 1 and 12 ± 1 per field, respectively, while the number significantly decreased to 2 ± 1 in M-CL. The results suggest that the controlled degree of crosslinking in oligourethane-modified biologic implants can be used as a strategy to balance biodegradation and remodeling in surgical repair of soft tissues.