Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network with multiple functions, including specific functions during tissue regeneration. Precisely, the properties of the ECM have been thoroughly used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research, aiming to restore the function of damaged or dysfunctional tissues. Tissue decellularization is gaining momentum as a technique to obtain potentially implantable decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) with well-preserved key components. Interestingly, the tissue-specific dECM is becoming a feasible option to carry out regenerative medicine research, with multiple advantages compared to other approaches. This review provides an overview of the most common methods used to obtain the dECM and summarizes the strategies adopted to decellularize specific tissues, aiming to provide a helpful guide for future research development.
Highlights
In many adult animal tissues, the main component in terms of volume is not the cells, but the cell-secreted three-dimensional (3D) structure known as the extracellular matrix (ECM)
There are some useful physical and chemical decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) sterilization techniques, their suitability depends on multiple factors, which may need to be considered in each specific approach; for example, humidity, time of exposure, temperature, and the nature/load of the bioburden are some of the factors to be taken into account
Gamma-irradiation is often selected as the sterilization method for dECM products, but the irradiation dosage has to be optimized for each specific case, and the properties must be assessed after treatment
Summary
In many adult animal tissues, the main component in terms of volume is not the cells, but the cell-secreted three-dimensional (3D) structure known as the extracellular matrix (ECM). The properties of the ECM have been thoroughly used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research, aiming to restore the function of damaged or dysfunctional tissues [2] In this context, applications of ECM-derived components are multiple, from in vitro stem cell basic research to clinical settings. DECM is usually obtained by chemical, enzymatic, and/or physical decellularization methods, developed to eliminate the cells and their waste, mainly DNA [5] These procedures yield decellularized materials formed by the multiple ECM components, which are maintained similar to the original tissue in composition, even in architecture, if required. Tissue decellularization is achieved using as starting material tissues treated with mechanical or chemical methods for tissue grinding, pulverization, or homogenization before decellularization This approach is gaining relevance, especially in strategies aiming to use the dECM in postprocessing fabrication approaches (hydrogels, 3D printing, electrospinning, and similar). Tissue pieces, or powdered ECM are the most common starting materials and multiple possible decellularization methods can be applied, all of them with advantages and disadvantages to be taken into account in light of the specific aim and context [18]
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