Decellularized Ear Tissues as Scaffolds for Stem Cell Differentiation

Permanent sensorineural hearing loss is a major medical problem and is due to the loss of hair cells and subsequently spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea. Since these cells lack the capacity of renewal in mammals, their regeneration would be an optimal solution to reverse hearing loss. In other tissues, decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) has been used as a mechanical and biochemical scaffold for the induction of stem and other cells toward a target tissue phenotype. Such induced cells have been used for tissue and organ transplants in preclinical animal and human clinical applications. This paper reports for the first time the decellularization of the cochlea and identification of remaining laminin and collagen type IV as a first step in preparing an ECM scaffold for directing stem cells toward an auditory lineage. Fresh ear tissues were removed from euthanized mice, a rat and a human and processed for decellularization using two different detergent extraction methods. Cochleas were imaged with scanning thin-sheet laser imaging microscopy (sTSLIM) and brightfield microscopy. Detergent treatment of fresh tissue removed all cells as evidenced by lack of H&E and DNA staining of the membranous labyrinth while preserving components of the ECM. The organ of Corti was completely removed, as were spiral ganglion neurons, which appeared as hollow sheaths and tubes of basal lamina (BL) material. Cells of the stria vascularis were removed and its only vestige left was its laterally linking network of capillary BL that appeared to “float” in the endolymphatic space. Laminin and type IV collagen were detected in the ECM after decellularization and were localized in vascular, neural and epithelial BL. Further work is necessary to attempt to seed neural and other stem cells into the decellularized ECM to hopefully induce differentiation and subsequent in vivo engraftment into damaged cochleas.     

Biomaterial characterization of off‐the‐shelf decellularized porcine pericardial tissue for use in prosthetic valvular applications

Fixed pericardial tissue is commonly used for commercially available xenograft valve implants, and has proven durability, but lacks the capability to remodel and grow. Decellularized porcine pericardial tissue has the promise to outperform fixed tissue and remodel, but the decellularization process has been shown to damage the collagen structure and reduce mechanical integrity of the tissue. Therefore, a comparison of uniaxial tensile properties was performed on decellularized, decellularized‐sterilized, fixed, and native porcine pericardial tissue versus native valve leaflet cusps. The results of non‐parametric analysis showed statistically significant differences (p < .05) between the stiffness of decellularized versus native pericardium and native cusps as well as fixed tissue, respectively; however, decellularized tissue showed large increases in elastic properties. Porosity testing of the tissues showed no statistical difference between decellularized and decell‐sterilized tissue compared with native cusps (p > .05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that valvular endothelial and interstitial cells colonized the decellularized pericardial surface when seeded and grown for 30 days in static culture. Collagen assays and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed limited reductions in collagen with processing; yet glycosaminoglycan assays showed great reductions in the processed pericardium relative to native cusps. Decellularized pericardium had comparatively low mechanical properties among the groups studied; yet the stiffness was comparatively similar to the native cusps and demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity. Suture retention, accelerated wear, and hydrodynamic testing of prototype decellularized and decell‐sterilized valves showed positive functionality. Sterilized tissue could mimic valvular mechanical environment in vitro, therefore making it a viable potential candidate for off‐the‐shelf tissue‐engineered valvular applications.     

Re‐endothelialization of rat lung scaffolds through passive,gravity‐driven seeding of segment‐specific pulmonary endothelial cells

Effective re‐endothelialization is critical for the use of decellularized scaffolds for ex vivo lung engineering. Current approaches yield insufficiently re‐endothelialized scaffolds that haemorrhage and become thrombogenic upon implantation. Herein, gravity‐driven seeding coupled with bioreactor culture facilitated widespread distribution and engraftment of endothelial cells throughout rat lung scaffolds. Initially, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were seeded into the pulmonary artery by either gravity‐driven, variable flow perfusion seeding or pump‐driven, pulsatile flow perfusion seeding. Gravity seeding evenly distributed cells and supported cell survival and re‐lining of the vascular walls while perfusion pump‐driven seeding led to increased cell fragmentation and death. Using gravity seeding, rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells and rat pulmonary vein endothelial cells attached in intermediate and large vessels, while rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells deposited mostly in microvessels. Combination seeding of these cells led to positive vascular endothelial cadherin staining. In addition, combination seeding improved barrier function as assessed by serum albumin extravasation; however, leakage was observed in the distal portions of the re‐endothelialized tissue suggesting that recellularization of the alveoli is necessary to complete barrier function of the capillary–alveolar network. Overall, these data indicate that vascular recellularization of rat lung scaffolds is achieved through gravity seeding. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sequential hydrophile and lipophile solubilization as an efficient method for decellularization of porcine aortic valve leaflets: Structure,mechanical property and biocompatibility study

Antigenicity of xenogeneic tissues is the major obstacle to increased use of these materials in clinical medicine. Residual xenoantigens in decellularized tissue elicit the immune response after implantation, causing graft failure. With this in mind, the potential use is proposed of three protein solubilization‐based protocols for porcine aortic valve leaflets decellularization. It was demonstrated that hydrophile solubilization alone achieved incomplete decellularization; lipophile solubilization alone (LSA) completely removed all cells and two most critical xenoantigens – galactose‐α(1,3)‐galactose (α‐Gal) and major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) – but caused severe alterations of the structure and mechanical properties; sequential hydrophile and lipophile solubilization (SHLS) resulted in a complete removal of cells, α‐Gal and MHC I, and good preservation of the structure and mechanical properties. In contrast, a previously reported method using Triton X‐100, sodium deoxycholate and IGEPAL CA‐630 resulted in a complete removal of all cells and MHC I, but with remaining α‐Gal epitope. LSA‐ and SHLS‐treated leaflets showed significantly reduced leucocyte activation (polymorphonuclear elastase) upon interaction with human blood in vitro. When implanted subdermally in rats for 6 weeks, LSA‐ or SHLS‐treated leaflets were presented with more biocompatible implants and all four decellularized leaflets were highly resistant to calcification. These findings illustrate that the SHLS protocol could be considered as a promising decellularization method for the decellularization of xenogeneic tissues in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

蛋白多糖在脱细胞猪肺动脉带瓣管道中抗钙化的作用

目的:证实去除细胞外基质蛋白多糖对提高脱细胞猪肺动脉带瓣管道抗钙化性能的作用,为研制组织工程化肺动脉带瓣管道做准备。方法:实验分为3组,即A组:为新鲜猪肺动脉带瓣管道组织,B组:用胰蛋白酶+Triton X-100处理的脱细胞猪肺动脉带瓣管道组织和C组:在B组处理的基础上再经透明质酸酶消化,去除细胞外蛋白多糖基质成分的猪肺动脉带瓣管道组织,每组4份(n=4)。方法:实验室:将3组样本分别进行HE染色后,用光镜和扫描电镜观察肺动脉管壁及瓣膜组织的变化。采用盐酸胍抽提结合阿利新蓝染色法测定蛋白多糖的含量。同时将3组样本包埋于大鼠皮下,于6周后取出标本进行Van Kosaa银染色法(钙盐染色)和原子吸收分光光度计法分别定性、定量分析组织的钙化程度。结果:光镜和电镜检查结果显示,猪肺动脉管壁和瓣膜组织的细胞可以较完整的去除,纤维网架结构可以完整保持。蛋白多糖含量的测定显示,与A、B组相比,C组细胞外基质蛋白多糖的含量显著下降(P<0.05)。大鼠皮下包埋实验显示,与A、B两组相比,C组的钙化反应更少,管壁组织钙的含量显著下降(P<0.05)。结论:采用胰蛋白酶+Triton X-100脱细胞方法可以达到去除细胞的目的。通过大鼠皮下包埋实验证明,采用透明质酸酶消化减少细胞外基质蛋白多糖的含量可以进一步减少脱细胞组织的钙化反应,为组织工程肺动脉带瓣管道的构建提供较为理想的脱细胞基质材料。     

Optimizing the decellularization process of an upper limb skeletal muscle; implications for muscle tissue engineering

Upper limb muscle reconstruction is required following cancer resection, trauma, and congenital deformities. Current surgical reconstruction of the muscle involves local, regional and free flaps. However, muscle reconstruction is not always possible due to the size of the defect and functional donor site morbidity. These challenges could be addressed with the production of scaffolds composed of an extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from decellularized human skeletal muscle. This study aimed to find an optimal technique to decellularize a flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. The first two protocols were based on a detergent only (DOT) and a detergent-enzymatic protocol (DET). The third protocol avoided the use of detergents and proteolytic enzymes (NDNET). The decellularized scaffolds were characterized using qualitative techniques including histological and immunofluorescent staining and quantitative techniques assessing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and collagen content. The DOT protocol consisting of 2% SDS for 4 hours was successful at decellularizing human FDS, as shown by DNA content assay and nuclei immunofluorescence staining. The DOT protocol maintained the microstructure of the scaffolds as shown by Masson’s trichrome staining and collagen and GAG content. DET and NDNET protocols maintained the ECM, but were unsuccessful in removing all DNA content after two cycles of decellularization. Decellularization of skeletal muscle is a viable option for muscle reconstruction using a detergent only technique for upper limb defects. Further testing in vivo will assess the effectiveness of decellularized scaffolds for upper limb muscle skeletal tissue engineering.     

Flow-controlled fluoroscopic angiography for the assessment of vascular integrity in bioengineered kidneys

Perfusion decellularization has been proposed as a promising method for generating nonimmunogenic organs from allogeneic or xenogeneic donors. Several imaging modalities have been used to assess vascular integrity in bioengineered organs with no consistency in the methodology used. Here, we studied the use of fluoroscopic angiography performed under controlled flow conditions for vascular integrity assessment in bioengineered kidneys. Porcine kidneys underwent ex vivo angiography before and after perfusion decellularization. Arterial and venous patencies were defined as visualization of contrast medium (CM) in distal capillaries and renal vein, respectively. Changes in vascular permeability were visualized and quantified. No differences in patency were detected in decellularized kidneys compared with native kidneys. However, focal parenchymal opacities and significant delay in CM clearance were detected in decellularized kidneys, indicating increased permeability. Biopsy-induced leakage was visualized in both groups, with digital subtraction angiography revealing minimal CM leakage earlier than nonsubtracted fluoroscopy. In summary, quantitative assessment of vascular permeability should be coupled with patency when studying the effect of perfusion decellularization on kidney vasculature. Flow-controlled angiography should be considered as the method of choice for vascular assessment in bioengineered kidneys. Adopting this methodology for organs premodified ex vivo under normothermic machine perfusion settings is also suggested.     

Toward acellular xenogeneic heart valve prostheses: Histological and biomechanical characterization of decellularized and enzymatically deglycosylated porcine pulmonary heart valve matrices

The use of decellularized xenogeneic heart valves might offer a solution to overcome the issue of human valve shortage. The aim of this study was to revise decellularization protocols in combination with enzymatic deglycosylation, in order to reduce the immunogenicity of porcine pulmonary heart valves, in means of cells, carbohydrates, and, primarily, Galα1-3Gal (α-Gal) epitope removal. In particular, the valves were decellularized with sodium dodecylsulfate/sodium deoxycholate (SDS/SD), Triton X-100 + SDS (Tx + SDS), or Trypsin + Triton X-100 (Tryp + Tx) followed by enzymatic digestion with PNGaseF, Endoglycosidase H, or O-glycosidase combined with Neuraminidase. Results showed that decellularization alone reduced carbohydrate structures only to a limited extent, and it did not result in an α-Gal free scaffold. Nevertheless, decellularization with Tryp + Tx represented the most effective decellularization protocol in means of carbohydrates reduction. Overall, carbohydrates and α-Gal removal could strongly be improved by applying PNGaseF, in particular in combination with Tryp + Tx treatment, contrary to Endoglycosidase H and O-glycosidase treatments. Furthermore, decellularization with PNGaseF did not affect biomechanical stability, in comparison with decellularization alone, as shown by burst pressure and uniaxial tensile tests. In conclusion, valves decellularized with Tryp + Tx and PNGaseF resulted in prostheses with potentially reduced immunogenicity and maintained mechanical stability.     

脱细胞基质制备方法及其在涎腺组织工程中的应用

背景:由脱细胞基质组成的生物支架被广泛应用于动物及临床研究,以修复和重建组织与器官,但所有的脱细胞方法都会在一定程度上破坏基质结构与功能。目的:综述脱细胞基质制备方法、优缺点及其在涎腺组织工程研究中的应用。方法:应用计算机检索CNKI数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、PubMed数据库及Elsevier数据库2008至2019年发表的相关文献,检索词为“脱细胞基质,制备方法,涎腺,组织工程,再生;decellularization,preparation method,parotid gland tissue engineering”,共纳入74篇文献。结果与结论:大部分组织与器官脱细胞基质制备方法需要化学、生物(酶)、物理及以上几种方法联合使用,具体方法取决于组织与器官的厚度、组成和性质。虽然不是所有脱细胞方法均可去除组织与器官中的细胞成分,但完全去除细胞的组织与器官具有重塑组织特异性的优势,为接种细胞的增殖和分化提供有利的微环境。由于涎腺结构复杂和组织工程化在临床应用中的挑战,应用于患者的临床移植进展有限,该领域的体内研究仅限于动物,而基于颌下腺脱细胞基质生物支架材料方面的应用有望为涎腺组织工程提供有利的来源。     

聚乙二醇和胰蛋白酶用于猪动脉管道去细胞效果比较

目的比较0.05%胰蛋白酶-EDTA脱细胞方法与聚乙二醇（poly ethylene glycol，PEG）脱细胞方法对组织物理特性的影响和脱细胞程度。方法用聚乙二醇和胰酶-EDTA处理猪大动脉动脉管道。结果PEG组去细胞百分率为95.32%，胰酶-EDTA组去细胞百分率为90.35%，两组比较P〈0.05，PEG组细胞外基质（ECM）结构保存完整；与对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论PEG法处理动脉管道较传统的组织工程去细胞更为有效，优越性明显，细胞外基质保存完整，生物力学特性稳定。