Assessment of the Impact of Decellularization Methods on Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites Used as Skin Substitute

Abstract

This work aimed to assess the impact of acellularization and sterilization methods on the mechanical properties of biocomposites used as a skin substitute. On the basis of the statistical analysis, it was ascertained that the values of the Young modulus for the samples before the sterilization process—only in the cases of substances such as: trypsin, 15% glycerol and dispase—changed in a statistically significant way. In the case of dispase, the Young modulus value before the sterilization process amounted to 66.6 MPa, for trypsin this value equalled 33.9 MPa, whereas for 15% glycerol it was 11 MPa. In the case of samples after the completion of the sterilization process, the analysis did not show any statistically significant differences between the obtained results of Young’s modulus depending on the respective reagents applied. It was confirmed that different methods of acellularization and the process of sterilization effect the alteration of mechanical properties of allogeneic skins. In the case of the decellularization method using SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate), liquid nitrogen and 85% glycerol the highest values of strain were observed. In the authors’ opinion, it is the above-mentioned methods that should be recommended in the process of preparation of skin substitutes.

Decellularization for the retention of tissue niches

“… 251 – 253 Apart from osmotic shock-based methods, other attempts to remove or reduce the need for enzymatic exposure step from dermal tissue decellularization protocols have not necessarily proven to be more effective than standard chemical and enzymatic treatment protocols. 254 , 255 Because surfactant-enzymatic methods have been thus far the most practical and common decellularizing protocols for dermal decellularization, recent advancements by Koo et al sought to reduce exposure time to these harsh chemicals by altering standard chemical-enzymatic treatment to include hypo/hypertonic pretreatments along with physical sonication and electroporation methods. 256 The results of the study show promise in the premise of combining standard detergent-enzymatic decellularizations with physical decellularization methods, and further investigation into combinative physical/chemical/enzymatic treatment is worth exploring.…”

Extracellular matrix-derived materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: A journey from isolation to characterization and application

“…Additional characterization should be performed in order to assess the remaining protein content of the ECM, highlighting the structural proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, as well as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and GFs. Furthermore, if the ECM is to be used directly as a scaffold, the mechanical/elastic properties including elastic modulus and tensile strength should be assessed and evaluated depending on the final application [ 115 ]. Fig.…”

The engineering and application of extracellular matrix hydrogels: a review

“…Chemical methods are more effective in removing cells from the ECM, but they tend to remain in the final product and are more difficult to remove. Commonly used biological reagents include nucleases, 46 trypsin, 47,48 etc. These biological reagents also have the disadvantage of being difficult to remove from the tissue.…”