title: Development and characterization of decellularized human nasoseptal cartilage matrix for use in tissue engineering.
abstract: Reconstruction of cartilage defects in the head and neck can require harvesting of autologous cartilage grafts, which can be associated with donor site morbidity. To overcome this limitation, tissue-engineering approaches may be used to generate cartilage grafts. The objective of this study was to decellularize and characterize human nasoseptal cartilage with the aim of generating a biological scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
  
  
  
  Laboratory study using nasoseptal cartilage.
  
  
  
  Remnant human nasoseptal cartilage specimens were collected and subjected to a novel decellularization treatment. The decellularization process involved several cycles of enzymatic detergent treatments. For characterization, decellularized and fresh (control) specimens underwent histological, biochemical, and mechanical analyses. Scanning electron microscopy and biocompatibility assay were also performed.
  
  
  
  The decellularization process had minimal effect on glycosaminoglycan content of the cartilage extracellular matrix. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis revealed the near-complete removal of genomic DNA from decellularized tissues. The effectiveness of the decellularization process was also confirmed on histological and scanning electron microscopic analyses. Mechanical testing results showed that the structural integrity of the decellularized tissue was maintained, and biocompatibility was confirmed.
  
  
  
  Overall, the current decellularization treatment resulted in significant reduction of genetic/cellular material with preservation of the underlying extracellular matrix structure. This decellularized material may serve as a potential scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
  
  
  
  N/A. Laryngoscope, 126:2226-2231, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.|Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: M Elise
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.|School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Gratzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.|Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bezuhly
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Paul.Hong@iwk.nshealth.ca.|Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Paul.Hong@iwk.nshealth.ca.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D004247:DNA
keywords: Nasoseptal cartilage; decellularization; septorhinoplasty; tissue engineering