Assessment of dopamine-conjugated decellularized bovine tendon extracellular matrix as a bioadhesive

Abstract

In this study, a bioadhesive based on catechol and extracellular matrix was developed and characterized in detail. At first, cells were removed from bovine tendon tissue to obtain tendon extracellular matrix (t-ECM), then its acellularity was confirmed. The decellularized tissue was digested enzymatically to yield an injectable form of t-ECM with a high content of protein, collagen and sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Next, conjugation of dopamine to t-ECM was performed under acidic, neutral, and basic pH conditions, either in the presence of O2 or under N2 flow. Conjugation of dopamine to t-ECM was determined by FT-IR, 1H NMR and UV–vis analysis, while catechol groups in the structures were quantified by Arnow method. The findings revealed that neutral and basic conditions are more suitable for dopamine conjugation. The physical properties of the bioadhesive were also determined by swelling and mass loss analysis. The conjugates exhibited good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility and showed good cell adhesion. The lap-shear test using skin tissue showed that the t-ECM-dopamine conjugate has high adhesive strength and can be considered as a potential bioadhesive for the future.