Regional variability, processing methods, and biophysical properties of human fascia lata extracellular matrix

This study aims to assess the regional variability, processing methods, mechanical, biochemical, and cellular properties of human fascia lata as a scaffold for soft tissue repair and tissue engineering applications. Ten pairs of fascia lata (donor age 18-55) were used. One fascia patch from each pair was used to assess the geometric and biomechanical variability of fresh fascia. The other from each pair was subjected to 1 of 2 allograft processing methods: antibiotic soak alone or acellularization plus antibiotic soak. Stiffness, modulus, hydroxyproline, chondroitin/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CSDS GAG), and DNA content were quantified in fascia from fresh and treated groups. The effect of location was not significant for thickness or stiffness within a 6 x 12 cm2 region of the iliotibial tract of fresh human fascia lata. Processing did not significantly change the stiffness, modulus, or CSDS GAG content of fascia ECM. However, hydroxyproline (collagen) content is significantly reduced in acellularized fascia, probably reflecting a removal of soluble collagen during the treatment (p < 0.02). Processing reduced the DNA content of fresh fascia approximately 10-fold (p < 0.001). The mechanical, chemical and ultrastructural similarities between fascia lata and tendon may make fresh or processed fascia an attractive ECM scaffold for soft tissue, particularly tendon, repair.