Preparation and Characterization of Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels Derived from Acellular Cartilage Tissue

Recent Advances in the Application of 3D-Printing Bioinks Based on Decellularized Extracellular Matrix in Tissue Engineering

In recent years, 3D bioprinting with various types of bioinks has been widely used in tissue engineering to fabricate human tissues and organs with appropriate biological functions. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is an excellent bioink candidate because it is enriched with a variety of bioactive proteins and bioactive factors and can provide a suitable environment for tissue repair or tissue regeneration while reducing the likelihood of severe immune rejection. In this Review, we systematically review recent advances in 3D bioprinting and decellularization technologies and comprehensively detail the latest research and applications of dECM as a bioink for tissue engineering in various systems, with the aim of providing a reference for researchers in tissue engineering to better understand the properties of dECM bioinks.

Extracellular matrix-derived materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: A journey from isolation to characterization and application

Biomaterial choice is an essential step during the development tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) applications. The selected biomaterial must present properties allowing the physiological-like recapitulation of several processes that lead to the reestablishment of homeostatic tissue or organ function. Biomaterials derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM) present many such properties and their use in the field has been steadily increasing. Considering this growing importance, it becomes imperative to provide a comprehensive overview of ECM biomaterials, encompassing their sourcing, processing, and integration into TERM applications. This review compiles the main strategies used to isolate and process ECM-derived biomaterials as well as different techniques used for its characterization, namely biochemical and chemical, physical, morphological, and biological. Lastly, some of their applications in the TERM field are explored and discussed.

Enhancing cartilage regeneration and repair through bioactive and biomechanical modification of 3D acellular dermal matrix

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) shows promise for cartilage regeneration and repair. However, an effective decellularization technique that removes cellular components while preserving the extracellular matrix, the transformation of 2D-ADM into a suitable 3D scaffold with porosity and the enhancement of bioactive and biomechanical properties in the 3D-ADM scaffold are yet to be fully addressed. In this study, we present an innovative decellularization method involving 0.125% trypsin and 0.5% SDS and a 1% Triton X-100 solution for preparing ADM and converting 2D-ADM into 3D-ADM scaffolds. These scaffolds exhibit favorable physicochemical properties, exceptional biocompatibility and significant potential for driving cartilage regeneration in vitro and in vivo. To further enhance the cartilage regeneration potential of 3D-ADM scaffolds, we incorporated porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa (SIS) for bioactivity and calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) for biomechanical reinforcement. The resulting 3D-ADM+SIS scaffolds displayed heightened biological activity, while the 3D-ADM+CSH scaffolds notably bolstered biomechanical strength. Both scaffold types showed promise for cartilage regeneration and repair in vitro and in vivo, with considerable improvements observed in repairing cartilage defects within a rabbit articular cartilage model. In summary, this research introduces a versatile 3D-ADM scaffold with customizable bioactive and biomechanical properties, poised to revolutionize the field of cartilage regeneration.