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Non-Cytotoxic Crosslinkers for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
|July 18, 2015
Summary
Quercetin effectively crosslinks decellularized heart valve matrices, enhancing mechanical strength and reducing calcification and antibody response. This natural compound shows promise as a safer alternative to glutaraldehyde for tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Effective crosslinking agents for xenogenic decellularized heart valve matrices are lacking.
- This study evaluates natural compounds as alternatives to synthetic crosslinkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the crosslinking efficacy of quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid, and tannic acid on porcine aortic valve matrices.
- To compare these natural crosslinkers with glutaraldehyde (GTA).
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity, mechanical strength (tensile testing), and cytocompatibility of crosslinked matrices were evaluated.
- Implantation in Wistar rats assessed calcium content and antibody response.
- Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and IgG antibody determination were used.
Main Results:
- Quercetin, catechin, and caffeic acid improved matrix mechanical strength; quercetin matched GTA.
- Crosslinked matrices showed mild inflammatory reactions and reduced calcium deposition.
- Quercetin-crosslinked matrices elicited the lowest IgG antibody levels.
Conclusions:
- Quercetin is identified as a suitable crosslinker for heart valve tissue engineering.
- Quercetin presents a potential alternative to glutaraldehyde.
- Further research is needed to evaluate autologous cell repopulation with quercetin-crosslinked matrices.
