An in vivo evaluation of induced chondrogenesis by decellularized extracellular matrix particles

Abstract

Bioengineered scaffolds composed of synthetic materials and extracellular matrix (ECM) components can offer a tissue‐specific microenvironment capable of regulating cells to regenerate the structure and function of the native cartilage. Here, given the potential preservation of biomechanical and biochemical cues found in the native cartilage, particulate decellularized ECM (DC‐ECM) was utilized for immobilization on the surface of nanofibrous scaffolds. Afterward, the chondro‐inductive potential and ectopic cartilage formation after subcutaneous implantation of bioengineered DC‐ECM scaffolds were investigated in mice model. Eight weeks post‐implantation, no growth of considerable inflammatory response and neovascularization was observed in histological images of bioengineered DC‐ECM scaffolds. Pre‐seeded bioengineered scaffolds with human adipose‐derived stem cells exhibited high levels of chondro‐induction capability, indicated with immunohistochemical and gene expression results. In both interval times, we also observed chondrogenesis and tissue formation after implanting unseeded bioengineered scaffolds, which denote that the presence of DC‐ECM particles can even enhance attachment and migration of the host cells and induce chondrogenesis to them. To sum up, the incorporation of DC‐ECM materials to tissue engineered constructs is a promising avenue to mimic the native tissue environment for regulation of cartilage regeneration in both in vivo and in vitro settings.

Development of meniscus‐inspired 3D‐printed PCL scaffolds engineered with chitosan/extracellular matrix hydrogel

“…First, decellularized goat meniscus powders were successfully produced using SDS treatment and subsequent cryogenic grinding, similar to our recent works on cartilage tissue, which demonstrated a good balance between cell removal and retention of ECM collagen 35,38 (Figure 2). In particular, we achieved an acceptable amount of residual DNA, because some researchers believe that reducing the amount of double stranded (ds) DNA amounts to 50 ng/mg dry tissue is enough to satisfy the intent of decellularization.…”

Fish cartilage: A promising source of biomaterial for biological scaffold fabrication in cartilage tissue engineering

“…However, in order to minimize the detriments of cell presence on chemical and biological properties of utilized natural ECM, decellularization is needed 14 . Scaffolds derived from decellularized ECM of native tissues, especially cartilage, have raised interests for the regeneration of damaged tissues due to their chondroinduction ability and preservation of growth factors 15‐17 Numerous ECM‐based scaffolds have been derived from different warm‐blooded animals' cartilage up to now, including human 8,18 bovine 10,19 porcine 9,20 and caprine 21,22 In the last decades, due to the outbreak of disease from the mentioned source, the scientists have studied to find the alternative sources with the least risk of transmitting the diseases to human. A compatible source with weak immunogenicity and low chances of causing transmissible diseases is aquatic wastes 23 .…”

Post-decellularized printing of cartilage extracellular matrix: distinction between biomaterial ink and bioink

“…In particular, due to the restricted regenerative capability of cartilage tissue, dECM-based materials are a new field of interest in cartilage tissue engineering. 67,68 In decellularization, antigenic cellular material is removed from a tissue, and a relatively nonimmunogenic ECM construct with proper biochemical and biomechanical properties is preserved. 69 The residual cellular material within dECM attenuates or fully negates constructive tissue remodeling after the transplantation of decellularized materials in vivo.…”

“…85,86 dECM materials are directly used as bulk scaffolds or engineered in different forms such as hydrogels, porous scaffolds, microspheres, fibers, and printing inks, representing their potential in vitro and in vivo. 67,69,[87][88][89][90] The most common use of dECM materials, especially for 3D construction, is to convert them into hydrogel networks. dECM hydrogels are categorized into pepsin-solubilized dECM gels and composites formed from dECM particles encapsulated within a polymeric hydrogel network.…”