Liver regeneration using decellularized splenic scaffold: a novel approach in tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Limited donor organs hinder liver regeneration using decellularized liver scaffolds.
• Xenograft scaffolds pose risks of zoonosis and immunological rejection.
• The spleen, a more abundant organ, is proposed as an alternative scaffold source.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a decellularized splenic scaffold for potential liver regeneration.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility and recellularization capacity of the splenic scaffold with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

Main Methods:

• Spleens were decellularized using a freeze-thaw cycle followed by perfusion with trypsin and Triton X-100.
• Scaffold structure, composition, DNA content, porosity, and biocompatibility were analyzed.
• Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were used to recellularize the scaffold for feasibility assessment.

Main Results:

• A translucent, spleen-shaped decellularized scaffold was successfully generated, preserving extracellular matrix components like collagen and elastin.
• The scaffold exhibited suitable porosity (80.14% pore rate, 45.36 μm aperture) for cell engraftment.
• Subcutaneous implantation demonstrated good histocompatibility, and BMSCs successfully adhered and survived within the scaffold.

Conclusions:

• The decellularized splenic scaffold retains key structural and compositional characteristics similar to liver scaffolds.
• The scaffold demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and supports BMSC survival and integration.
• Decellularized splenic scaffolds offer a promising alternative for liver regeneration strategies, especially when combined with BMSC reseeding and differentiation.