Face Graft Scaffold Production in a Rat Model

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Previous work established scaffold production via perfusion-decellularization of porcine ear grafts.
• This study aimed to adapt these findings to a rodent hemifacial graft model for whole-face bioengineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decellularize a whole rat hemiface graft while preserving its vascular tree and extracellular matrix.
• To evaluate the efficacy of perfusion-decellularization versus mechanical agitation for scaffold creation.
• To assess the recellularization potential of the decellularized scaffold using human adipose-derived stem cells.

Main Methods:

• Rat hemiface grafts were harvested and decellularized using a detergent-based protocol via either arterial perfusion or mechanical agitation.
• Scaffolds underwent DNA quantification, histological analysis (H&E, Masson trichrome, Sirius red, Safranin O), and microangiographic computed tomography.
• Cell-friendly extracellular matrix was assessed by seeding human adipose-derived stem cells and evaluating viability after 7 days.

Main Results:

• Effective decellularization was achieved in both groups, with some residual cells in cartilage for the agitation group.
• Histological analysis revealed a well-preserved extracellular matrix in both perfusion and agitation groups.
• Vascular patency was confirmed across all scaffold regions, and seeded human adipose-derived stem cells remained viable and distributed.

Conclusions:

• Successful decellularization of rat face grafts was achieved, preserving the vascular network and extracellular matrix.
• Perfusion-decellularization demonstrated superior speed and efficacy compared to mechanical agitation but was not essential for this model.
• The decellularized rat hemiface serves as a promising scaffold for future face bioengineering and recellularization studies.