title: An alternative approach to decellularize whole porcine heart.
abstract: Scaffold characteristics are decisive for repopulating the acellular tissue with cells. A method to produce such a scaffold from intact organ requires a customized decellularization protocol. Here, we have decellularized whole, intact porcine hearts by serial perfusion and agitation of hypotonic solution, an ionic detergent (4% sodium deoxycholate), and a nonionic detergent (1% Triton X-100). The resultant matrix was characterized for its degree of decellularization, morphological and functional integrity. The protocol used resulted in extensive decellularization of the cardiac tissue, but the cytoskeletal elements (contractile apparatus) of cardiomyocytes remained largely unaffected by the procedure although their membranous organelles were completely absent. Further, several residual angiogenic growth factors were found to be present in the decellularized tissue.
authors.affiliation: Transplantation Institute and Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg, Sweden .
authors.forename: Ketaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Methe
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Materials, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden , Borås, Sweden .
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bäckdahl
authors.affiliation: The Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg, Sweden .
authors.forename: Bengt R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: Transplantation Institute and Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg, Sweden .
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nayakawde
authors.affiliation: Transplant Institute and Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg, Sweden .
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dellgren
authors.affiliation: Transplantation Institute and Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg, Sweden .
authors.forename: Suchitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sumitran-Holgersson
keywords: ECM (extracellular matrix); angiogenesis; growth factors; heart; vasculogenesis