Characterization and biocompatibility evaluation of acellular rat skin scaffolds for skin tissue engineering applications

Exploiting the Potential of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix (ECM) in Tissue Engineering: A Review Study

While significant progress has been made in creating polymeric structures for tissue engineering, the therapeutic application of these scaffolds remains challenging owing to the intricate nature of replicating the conditions of native organs and tissues. The use of human-derived biomaterials for therapeutic purposes closely imitates the properties of natural tissue, thereby assisting in tissue regeneration. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds derived from natural tissues have become popular because of their unique biomimetic properties. These dECM scaffolds can enhance the body's ability to heal itself or be used to generate new tissues for restoration, expanding beyond traditional tissue transfers and transplants. Enhanced knowledge of how ECM scaffold materials affect the microenvironment at the injury site is expected to improve clinical outcomes. In this review, recent advancements in dECM scaffolds are explored and relevant perspectives are offered, highlighting the development and application of these scaffolds in tissue engineering for various organs, such as the skin, nerve, bone, heart, liver, lung, and kidney.

Evaluation of decellularized sheep kidney scaffolds for renal tissue engineering: Biocompatibility and stem cell differentiation potential

Tissue engineering (TE) combines scaffolds, cells, and bioactive chemicals in order to create tissues. The objective is to restore or sustain tissue functionality and expedite the recovery of damaged tissues or organs in a controlled laboratory environment. This study aimed to evaluate the properties and biocompatibility of decellularized sheep kidney scaffolds (DKS) and to explore the differentiation potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) into renal cells. After decellularizing sheep kidneys using freeze-drying and detergent techniques, we conducted histological studies, DNA quantification, and ultrastructural evaluations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, to assay the feasibility and attachment of stem cells to the decellularized scaffolds, ADSCs were cultured on the scaffolds and subjected to the MTT assay. The expression of the pax2 gene was analyzed using real-time PCR to determine the differentiation of MSCs into kidney cells. DNA quantitation revealed a significant reduction in the quantity of DNA present in the scaffold tissue compared to the control kidney tissue. Ultrastructural examination confirmed the preservation of the decellularized scaffold's ultrastructure. Histological analysis demonstrated the complete removal of nuclear material from the scaffold. Additionally, Pax2 gene expression was significantly increased in ADSC cells cultured on the scaffold compared to the control group. The results demonstrate that the produced scaffolds are well-suited for regenerative medicine, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility and providing a conducive environment for the differentiation of ADSCs.

Three-dimensional model of normal human dermal tissue using serial tissue sections

Background: This study aims to construct a three-dimensional model of skin dermis utilizing continuous tissue sections, with the primary objective of obtaining anatomical structure data for normal human dermal tissues. Methods: Normal skin tissue specimens were acquired, paraffin-embedded, and subjected to HE staining. Panoramic images of skin sections were captured using a microscope. Tissue section images were aligned using the SIFT and StackReg image alignment methods, with analysis conducted using the OpenCV module. Mimics17 software facilitated the reconstruction of the skin dermal 3D model, enabling the calculation of dermal porosity and the void diameter. Results: Panoramic skin slices exhibited high-resolution differentiation of dermal fibers and cellular structures. Both SIFT and StackReg image alignment methods yielded similar results, although the SIFT method demonstrated greater robustness. Successful reconstruction of the three-dimensional dermal structure was achieved. Quantitative analysis revealed a dermal porosity of 18.96 ± 4.41% and an average pore diameter of 219.29 ± 34.27 μm. Interestingly, the porosity of the dermis exhibited a gradual increase from the papillary layer to the fourth layer, followed by a transient decrease and then a gradual increase. The distribution of the mean pore diameter mirrored the pattern observed in porosity distribution. Conclusion: Utilizing the continuous skin tissue slice reconstruction technique, this study successfully reconstructed a high-precision three-dimensional tissue structure of the skin. The quantitative analysis of dermal tissue porosity and average pore diameter provides a standardized dataset for the development of biomimetic tissue-engineered skin.