Development and Characterization of a Porcine Mitral Valve Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Decellularized scaffolds represent a promising alternative for mitral valve (MV) replacement. This work developed and characterized a protocol for the decellularization of whole MVs. Porcine MVs were decellularized with 0.5% (w/v) SDS and 0.5% (w/v) SD and sterilized with 0.1% (v/v) PAA. Decellularized samples were seeded with human foreskin fibroblasts and human adipose-derived stem cells to investigate cellular repopulation and infiltration, and with human colony-forming endothelial cells to investigate collagen IV formation. Histology revealed an acellular scaffold with a generally conserved histoarchitecture, but collagen IV loss. Following decellularization, no significant changes were observed in the hydroxyproline content, but there was a significant reduction in the glycosaminoglycan content. SEM/TEM analysis confirmed cellular removal and loss of some extracellular matrix components. Collagen and elastin were generally preserved. The endothelial cells produced newly formed collagen IV on the non-cytotoxic scaffold. The protocol produced acellular scaffolds with generally preserved histoarchitecture, biochemistry, and biomechanics.

• Granados, M.; Morticelli, L.; Andriopoulou, S.; Kalozoumis, P.; Pflaum, M.; Iablonskii, P.; Glasmacher, B.; Harder, M.; Hegermann, J.; Wrede, C.; Tudorache, I.; Cebotari, S.; Hilfiker, A.; Haverich, A.; Korossis, S.