Limited biocompatibility of decellularized scaffolds is an ongoing challenge in tissue engineering. We recently demonstrated that intensified detergent-based decellularization of equine carotid artery (dEACintens) removed residual cellular molecules from the scaffold more efficiently than a conventional decellularization (dEACcon) though this approach did not eliminate its immunogenicity entirely. CCN1 has been shown to improve biocompatibility of dEACcon in a sheep model. Here, we tested the biocompatibility of dEACintens and dEACcon with or without CCN1-coating after subcutaneous implantation in rats for up to 12 weeks. Explants were assessed by conventional histopathology and immuno-staining for infiltrating M2 macrophages. Moreover, human macrophages derived from monocytes (MDM) or THP-1 cells (TDM) were seeded onto dEACcon and dEACintens and activation was assessed either by cytokine expression or matrix metalloprotease 2 and 7 staining. dEACintens showed a significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration (52%; p<0.0001), as well as an earlier and denser neovascularization (1.4-fold, p<0.0001) independent of CCN1-coating, which, however, reduced fibrosis exclusively with dEACintens (26-53%; p<0.05). Human MDM seeded for 48 h onto dEACintens showed higher transcript levels for anti-inflammatory IL-10 (2.3-fold), pro-inflammatory TNF (2.2-fold), macrophage/monocyte recruiting MIP1 (3.5-fold; all p<0.05) and MCP (2.7-fold;p<0.01) whereas 1.92-fold more TDM on dEACintens showed staining for MMP2 (p>0.001). Thus, although being advantageous in regard to fibrosis, CCN1-coating of dEACintens does not appear to be necessary for further improving dEACintens excellent biocompatibility in rats. In humans, the unspecific cellular immune response towards dEACintens seemed to be more complex but generally comparable to the mild acute inflammatory tissue reaction with high remodelling activity as observed after rat subcutaneous implantation.
- Jeinsen, N.; Maegel, L.; Jonigk, D.; Klingenberg, M.; Haverich, A.; Wilhelmi, M.; Boer, U.
