Confocal laser scanning microscopy evaluation of an acellular dermis tissue transplant (Epiflex®).
The structure of a biological scaffold is a major determinant of its biological characteristics and its interaction with cells. An acellular dermis tissue transplant must undergo a series of processing steps, to remove cells and genetic material and provide the sterility required for surgical use. During manufacturing and sterilization the structure and composition of tissue transplants may change. The composition of the human cell-free dermis transplant Epiflex® was investigated with specific attention paid to its structure, matrix composition, cellular content and biomechanics. We demonstrated that after processing, the structure of Epiflex remains almost unchanged with an intact collagen network and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein composition providing natural cell interactions. Although the ready to use transplant does contain some cellular and DNA debris, the processing procedure results in a total destruction of cells and active DNA which is a requirement for an immunologically inert and biologically safe substrate. Its biomechanical parameters do not change significantly during the processing.
Division of Surgical Oncology and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. eric.roessner@googlemail.com
Eric Dominic
ED
Roessner
Mario
M
Vitacolonna
Peter
P
Hohenberger
D062088:Acellular Dermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D051177:Catenins / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D010590:Phalloidine / Q000378:metabolism; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D051177:Catenins; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D010590:Phalloidine; D007633:Keratins; D004247:DNA; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2