X-ray examination of a tissue-engineered epithelial sheet during transportation

Autologous tissue-engineered epithelial sheets (TEESs) are generally transported by dedicated couriers. The cost of this technology can be reduced by using cold-chain courier services, in which the TEESs are subjected to X-rays during security checks. We exposed TEESs to a widely used X-ray luggage-control system to the maximum dose limited by regional regulations. DNA fragmentation, unique variants by exome sequencing, and proliferative capabilities were not altered after X-ray exposure. Thus, repeated exposure to X-ray radiation of luggage-control systems did not induce changes in TEESs genetically or biologically, which should simplify the transport of grafts.