Use of supercritical CO2 in soft tissue decellularization

Supercritical Fluid‐Based Decellularization Technologies for Regenerative Medicine Applications

“…Supercritical fluid‐based decellularization can remove nonpolar organic solvents or other toxic substances and inactivate viruses. [ 12 ] Topuz et al., demonstrated that as a result of decellularizing the optic nerve, the DNA content in the tissue was reduced by 40% compared to the original tissue, whereas the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are ECM components involved in cell signaling and ECM maintenance, were not denatured or dissolved after supercritical decellularization. In the case of supercritical flow‐based myocardium decellularization, a tendency of decreasing DNA contents in the tissue was demonstrated, but 64% of the GAG contents were preserved compared to those of the original tissue, implying that supercritical flow‐based decellularization may also harm the original tissue.…”

“…These results indicate that supercritical technologies are more efficient in DNA elimination and ECM preservation than traditional decellularization methods. [ 12,59 ] Guler et al., compared the efficiency of supercritical flow‐based artery and cornea decellularization with that of the conventional SDS method. The degree of physical damage was quantified using histological examinations and the DNA contents in nontreated, SDS‐treated, 2500 psi pressure‐treated, and 4500 psi pressure‐treated samples were 169.5 ± 6.92, 39.95± 0.07, 27.5 ± 6.3, and 21.5 ± 9.19 ng mL −1 , respectively.…”

“…Furthermore, drying of the original tissue may occur due to the volatile characteristics of organic solvents, which are used for higher polar molecule extraction efficiency. [ 12 ] In order to solve the polarity‐dependent decellularization inefficiency resulting from the use of several different polar solvent mixtures in this process, a new decellularization protocol was developed by Anton's group that minimizes the reaction hindrance by pretreating tissues with nonpolar solvent soluble detergents. This method improved tissue decellularization by producing larger pores in tissues with the membrane disruption characteristics of CO 2 ‐soluble detergents (Figure 2C).…”

“…The mild conditions of the supercritical phase shift of CO 2 (37 °C, low pressure) and low reactivity to polar components (protein, polysaccharide chain) hinder biomolecule denaturation during the tissue extraction process. [ 12–14 ] CO 2 molecules in supercritical conditions simultaneously have liquid‐like solute solubility and gas‐like diffusion ability, which increases the CO 2 tissue penetration ability and solubility of nonpolar molecules in the tissues. [ 15 ] Owing to their intrinsic characteristics, the super critical conditions increase DNA elimination and the tissue extraction efficiency compared to chemical solution‐based decellularization methods.…”

Supercritical carbon dioxide decellularization of plant material to generate 3D biocompatible scaffolds

“…Thus, multiple studies looking for an alternative to chemical and enzymatic processes, recently showed that mammalian tissues can be successfully decellularized with scCO 2 , providing ECM scaffolds with improved mechanical properties that could be used to promote cell growth and angiogenesis 28,[37][38][39][40][41] . In addition, scCO 2 decellularization is a time-efficient approach, tissues were processed in a matter of hours and simultaneously sterilized 2 .…”