title: Dynamic decellularization and cross-linking of rat tracheal matrix.
abstract: Decellularized tissues and organs represent a suitable option for tissue engineering when specific scaffolds are needed. However, the optimal conditions to completely remove all the cellular components and minimally affect the biochemical and structural properties of the extracellular matrix are still to be found. For this aim, bioreactors could be an alternative means to dynamically treat the biological samples, automatically controlling all the variables involved in the process and speeding up the entire procedure in order to deal with a suitable scaffold within a limited time period. This paper presents the characterization of rat tracheae decellularized in dynamic conditions, implementing a detergent-enzymatic method, previously considered. Only 6 cycles were enough to generate a tracheal matrix that was histologically and structurally similar to the native one. The network of collagen, reticular and elastic fibers was well preserved, such as the epithelial cilia, the luminal basement membrane and the main matrix components. The elastin content decreased, even if not significantly, after the decellularization protocol. Mechanical properties of the treated tissues were slightly affected by the procedure, and were partially recovered after crosslinking with genipin, a naturally-derived agent. The use of bioreactors could enhance the decellularization procedure of tissues/organs, but a careful selection of the processing parameters is needed in order to prevent large modifications compared to the native condition.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine (ACTREM), Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 8, Huddinge, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baiguera
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Department of Enterprise Engineering "Mario Lucertini", Intrauniversitary Consortium for Material Science and Technology (INSTM) Research Unit Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Gaudio
authors.affiliation: International Scientific-Research Clinical and Educational Centre of Regenerative Medicine, Kuban State Medical University, The Russian Federation, Krasnodar, Russia.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuevda
authors.affiliation: General Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Careggi, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonfiotti
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Department of Enterprise Engineering "Mario Lucertini", Intrauniversitary Consortium for Material Science and Technology (INSTM) Research Unit Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine (ACTREM), Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 8, Huddinge, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: paolo.macchiarini@ki.se.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Macchiarini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D039823:Iridoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D014132:Trachea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D039823:Iridoids; D004549:Elastin; C007834:genipin
keywords: Bioreactor; Cross-linking; Cytocompatibility; Decellularization; Extracellular matrix; Trachea