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Updated: May 31, 2025
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Procurement and Decellularization of Rat Hindlimbs Using an Ex Vivo Perfusion-Based Bioreactor for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
Published on: June 9, 2022
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Photooxidation Cross-Linked, Glutaraldehyde Cross-Linked, or Enzyme and Hydrostatic Pressure Processed Decellularized
Parnaz Boodagh1,2,3, Laura Modica De Mohac4, Yasurani Hayashi1
1McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Summary
This study compared processing methods for decellularized cardiac patches used in cardiovascular repair. Results show material processing does not significantly impact patch function or host response, indicating equal effectiveness for various repair solutions.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) caused 19 million deaths in 2020, increasing by 18.7% since 2010.
- Biological decellularized patches are used for cardiac and valve defects, but current options have limitations in mimicking native tissue properties.
- Processing methods, including cross-linking (fixation) and non-cross-linking (nonfixation), influence biomaterial performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of different processing methodologies on biological and biomechanical outcomes of cardiac patches for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) repair.
- To compare commercially available and newly developed decellularized cardiac patches.
- To evaluate host-biomaterial response in a rat RVOT reconstruction model.
Main Methods:
- Four decellularized cardiac patches (CorPatch, CardioCel, PhotoFix, Adeka) with varying processing methods were selected.
- In vitro characterization included thickness mapping, morphology, topography, microstructure, biaxial testing, uniaxial tensile testing, ball burst, and suture retention.
- In vivo assessment involved rat RVOT reconstruction at 8 and 16 weeks, evaluating echocardiography, biomechanics, macrophage infiltration, polarization, and angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Cross-linked patches exhibited more homogeneous thickness and better collagen preservation than non-cross-linked patches.
- Most patches, except CorPatch, replicated the anisotropic behavior of healthy left ventricle tissue.
- All patches demonstrated appropriate biocompatibility and function in vivo, with Adeka showing the best in-plane mechanics at 16 weeks.
- Non-cross-linked Adeka showed higher cell infiltration compared to cross-linked PhotoFix, attributed to its porous structure.
Conclusions:
- Material processing methods do not significantly impact the in vitro or in vivo performance of decellularized cardiac patches for RVOT repair.
- All evaluated patches, regardless of processing, are equally effective as current material-based cardiac repair solutions.
- Further research could explore optimizing processing for enhanced tissue integration and long-term function.
