Decellularized tilapia fish skin: A novel candidate for tendon tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Tendon injuries have poor regenerative capacity, posing a significant clinical challenge.
• Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) combined with stem cells is a promising therapeutic strategy.
• Marine-derived ECM offers advantages over terrestrial sources, including ease of acquisition and reduced biological risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize decellularized tilapia fish skin (DTFS) as a scaffold for tendon tissue engineering.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility and efficacy of DTFS in promoting tendon-derived stem cell (TDSC) behavior and tendon regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Decellularized tilapia fish skin (DTFS) was fabricated, preserving collagen fibers and natural pore structures.
• DTFS was crosslinked using EDC/NHS to improve mechanical properties.
• In vitro studies assessed cytotoxicity, TDSC migration, differentiation, and viability on DTFS.
• In vivo studies utilized a rat Achilles tendon defect model to evaluate scaffold-guided tendon regeneration.

Main Results:

• Crosslinked DTFS (C-DTFS) exhibited enhanced mechanical properties in both dry and wet conditions.
• DTFS leach liquor showed no cytotoxicity and promoted TDSC migration and tenogenic differentiation.
• TDSCs seeded on DTFS maintained viability, differentiated, and exhibited cell spreading.
• Cell-seeded DTFS scaffolds successfully guided tendon tissue regeneration in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Decellularized tilapia fish skin (DTFS) is a viable and advantageous biomaterial for tendon tissue engineering.
• DTFS supports TDSC growth, differentiation, and function, promoting tendon regeneration.
• DTFS combined with TDSCs represents a novel therapeutic approach for treating tendon injuries.