Protocols for the preparation and characterization of decellularized tissue and organ scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Abstract

Extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds are extensively used in tissue engineering studies and numerous clinical applications for tissue and organ reconstructions. Due to the global severe shortage of human tissues and organs, xenogeneic biomaterials are a common sourcefor human tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Traditional methods for decellularization often disrupt the 3D architecture and damage the structural integrity of the ECM scaffold. To efficiently obtain natural ECM scaffolds from animal tissues and organs with intact architecture, we have developed a platform decellularization process using supercritical CO2 and tested itspotential application in tissue engineering.A combination of human mesenchymal stem cells with adecellularized dermal matrix scaffold allowed complete regeneration of skin structure in a porcine full-thickness wound model.