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Procurement and Perfusion-Decellularization of Porcine Vascularized Flaps in a Customized Perfusion Bioreactor
Published on: August 1, 2022
2.7K
Bioengineering of vascularized porcine flaps using perfusion-recellularization
Michael S Xu1, Andrew D'Elia1, Nina Hadzimustafic1
1Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street 8N-869, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Scientific Reports
|March 30, 2024
Summary
Researchers engineered vascularized porcine flaps for reconstructive surgery. This tissue engineering approach shows promise for creating functional flaps, potentially reducing donor site issues and improving patient outcomes in soft tissue defect repair.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Large soft tissue defects pose significant challenges in reconstructive surgery, impacting patient function and quality of life.
- Current repair options often involve donor site morbidity and limited tissue availability.
- Tissue engineering offers a potential solution for creating functional flaps with reduced drawbacks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To regenerate vascularized porcine omentum and tensor fascia lata (TFL) flaps using tissue engineering.
- To evaluate a perfusion-decellularization and recellularization strategy for flap regeneration.
- To assess the viability and phenotype of seeded cells within the engineered flaps.
Main Methods:
- Porcine omentum and TFL flaps were decellularized using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) perfusion.
- Acellular scaffolds retained extracellular matrix (ECM) components.
- Decellularized flaps were recellularized with a co-culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) via perfusion.
Main Results:
- Successful decellularization generated ECM scaffolds from porcine flaps.
- Perfusion-recellularization demonstrated intravascular cell attachment.
- Seeded cells exhibited endothelial and mesenchymal phenotypes within the engineered flaps.
Conclusions:
- Bioengineered porcine flaps show potential as a novel strategy for reconstructive surgery.
- The developed tissue engineering approach is clinically translatable.
- This method may offer a solution for soft tissue defects, minimizing donor site morbidity.
