title: Preparation and characterization of decellularized tendon slices for tendon tissue engineering.
abstract: To develop a naturally derived tendon tissue engineering scaffold with the preservation of the native ultrastructure, tensile strength, and biochemical composition of the tendon extracellular matrix (ECM), decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) were prepared using repetitive freeze/thaw of the intact Achilles tendons, frozen section, and nuclease treatment. The DTSs were characterized in the native ultrastructure, mechanical properties, biochemical composition, and cytocompatibility. Histological examination and DNA quantification analysis confirmed that cells were completely removed from tendon tissue by repetitive freeze/thaw in combination with nuclease treatment 12 h. The intrinsic ultrastructure of tendon tissue was well preserved based on scanning electron microscopy examination. The tensile strength of the DTSs was retained 85.62% of native tendon slice. More than 93% of proteoglycans (fibromodulin, biglycan) and growth factors (TGF-β1, IGF-1, VEGF, and CTGF) inherent in tendon ECM were preserved in the DTSs according to ELISA analysis. Furthermore, the DTSs facilitated attachment and repopulation of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts in vitro. Overall, the DTSs are sheet scaffolds with a combination of elemental mechanical strength and tendon ECM bioactive factors that may have many potential applications in tendon tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Liang-Ju
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-He
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jing-Cong
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xiu-Qun
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhi-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ting-Wu
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004285:Dogs; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D013710:Tendons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D004247:DNA