In vivo regeneration of bladder muscular wall using decellularized colon matrix: an experimental study

Finding a proper scaffold for augmentation is a serious challenge in bladder tissue engineering. We hereby aimed to determine the histological aspects of a decellularized colon graft for bladder augmentation in healthy rats.

Rat colon tissues were decellularized using perfusion-based method. After partial cystectomy, bladders were grafted with a patch of decellularized colon. Bladder specimens were investigated in 12 rats at 1, 3, and 9 months postoperatively for further histological changes and immunohistochemistry analyses were also performed.

One month after implantation, partial seeding of new cells was observed. After 3 months continuity of transitional epithelium of natural bladder on the decellularized grafted colon tissue was confirmed with histological and immunohistochemical examinations. All augmented bladders demonstrated a spherical shape without stone formation, necrosis or graft rejection. The presence of urothelium with similar morphology to the natural urothelium and visible blood vessels were found within 3 months of operation. All immunohistochemical markers (except markers of colonic stem cells) were expressed in biopsies obtained 3 months after surgery demonstrating a progressive vascular and smooth muscle cell infiltration into the graft after implantation.

This study suggests that decellularized colon may provide a viable material for bladder augmentation in rats to pave the road for future applications of this natural collagen scaffold.