Objective To investigate the feasibility of using the porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a kind of the new tissue engineered materials to repair the rat full skin defect. Methods Twenty-eight 6-week-old SD rats weighing 300-350 g were selected in this experimental study. Two 2-cm-diameter round full skin defects were made on the rat back. The upper round defect was used as the blank group, which had no coverings, and the lower round defect was used as the SIS group. SIS that had been produced earlier was transplanted in the defected area. At 3 days, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the transplantation, the observation was made on the repaired skin conditions, the HE stain, and the repaired skin proportion. Results There was no infection in the two groups. The repairing speed in the SIS group was faster than that in the blank group at 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks after the transplantation. The skin repaired by SIS was soft and elastic in texture, which had the same high level as the normal skin. The scar tissues in the SIS group were thinner than those in the blank group. The repaired skin proportions at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the transplantation were 15.72%±3.64%, 43.81%±4.87%, 65.35%±5.63%, 87.95%±4.78%，96.90%±6.89% and 100%, respectively in the SIS group, and 13.42%±5.63%，58.74%±4.48%，76.50%±5.23%，92.30%±5.75% and 100%, respectively in the blank group. Therewas a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the transplantation(P＜0.05). Under the microscope, the SIS-repaired skin was observed to have more keratinocytes and collagen tissues, whichwas familiar to the normal skin.Conclusion Porcine SIS can be used as a new kind of the tissue engineered materials to repair the full skin defect.
Objective To investigate the feasibil ity of preparing the porous extracellular matrix (ECM) by use of some chemicals and enzymes to decellularize the porcine carotid artery. Methods The porcine carotid artery was procured, and warm ischemia time was less than 30 minunts. The porcine carotid artery was decellularized with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for 60 hours to prepare common ECM; then common ECM was treated with 0.25% trypsin (for 6 hours) and 0.3 U/ mL collagenase (for 24 hours) to prepare porous ECM. The common ECM and porous ECM were stained with HE,Masson’s trichrome, and Orcein to evaluate the histological features. Then the mechanical property, cytotoxicity, and pore size of ECMs were determined. After 4 weeks of subcutaneous implantation in dogs, the histological examination was used for the study. Results Histological observation confirmed that 2 kinds of ECMs were decellularized completely and more porous structure was observed in porous ECM. Scanning electron microscope showed the pores in porous ECM were greater and the length of shorter axis in porous ECM ranged from 5 to 30 μm, the length of longer axis from 40 to 100 μm. The porosity of porous ECM (99.25%) was greater than that of common ECM (91.50%). The burst pressure of porous ECM decreased when compared with common ECM, showing significant difference [(0.154 3 ± 0.012 7) MPa vs [0.305 2 ± 0.015 7) MPa, P lt; 0.05]. There was no significant difference in suture retention strength between 2 kinds of ECMs (P gt; 0.05). The cytotoxicity test showed no obvious cytotoxicity in 2 kinds of ECMs. In vivo implantation test showed that the deeper host cells infiltration and more neo-microvessels in porous ECM were observed than in common ECM. Conclusion SDS and some enzymes can be used to prepare porous ECM as the scaffold for tissue engineered blood vessels.
Objective To explore the histological changes of bio-derived bone prepared by different methods after implantation, and to provide the scaffold material from xenogeneic animal for tissue engineering. Methods Theextremities of porcine femur were cut into 0.5 cm×0.5 cm×0.5 cm. Then they were divided into 5 groups according to different preparation methods: group A was fresh bone just repeatedly rinsed by saline; group B was degreased; group C was degreased and decalcificated; group D was degreased, acellular and decalcificated; group E wasdegreased and acellular. All the materials were implantated into femoral muscle pouch of rabbit after 25 kGy irradiation sterilization. The cell counting ofinflammatory cells and osteoclasts, HE and Masson staining, material degradation, collagen and new bone formation were observed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results The residue level of trace element in biomaterials prepared by different methods is in line with the standards. All the animals survived well. There were no tissue necrosis, fluid accumulation or inflammation at all implantation sites at each time point. The inflammatory cells counting was most in group A, and there was significant difference compared with other groups(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in osteoclasts counting among all groups. For the index of HE and Masson staining, collagen and new bone formation, groups C and D were best, group E was better, and groups A and B were worse. Conclusion The degreased, acellular and decalcificated porcine bone is better in degradation,bone formation, and lower inflammatory reaction, it can be used better scaffold material for tissue engineered bone.
ObjectiveTo study the biomechanical stability of neckwear-knot-loop-ligature fixation for tibial eminence avulsion fractures by comparing with cannulated screw fixation and suture anchor fixation.
MethodsTwenty-four fresh porcine knee joints were selected. After the model of tibial eminence avulsion fracture (type Ⅲ) was made, 24 samples were randomly divided into 3 groups: neckwear-knot-loop-ligature group (group A), cannulated screw group (group B), and suture anchor group (group C), 8 samples in each group. The Universal electromagnetic and mechanical testing machines were used for the biomechanical tests. After 200 cyclic tests, pull-out test was done until fixation failure. The maximum failure load, yield load, stiffness, and displacement were measured.
ResultsFailure mode: the displacement was beyond limit in 8 samples of group A; screws extraction (5 samples) and bone fragment re-fracture (3 samples) were observed in group B; and suture anchor extraction (4 samples), suture rupture (3 samples), and suture thread cutting (1 sample) were found in group C. Biomechanical test: From groups A to C, the maximum failure load and yield load showed significant decreasing tendency (P<0.05), but the displacements showed significant increasing tendency (P<0.05). The stiffness also gradually decreased, but differences was not significant (P>0.05).
ConclusionCompared with cannulated screw and suture anchor, neckwear-knot-loop-ligature fixation for tibial eminence avulsion fracture has good biomechanical performance and the advantages of firm fixation and simple operation.
Objective To study whether the porcine endothelial cells (PECs) lines transfected by HLA-G1 can alter the lysis mediated by human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and natural killer cell 92(NK-92). Methods By use of liposomes pack, the pcDNA3.0 eukaryotic expression vector carrying HLA-G1 was transfected into PECs. Using indirect immunofluorescence and RT-PCR assays, the HLA-G1 expression in PECs was detected. The alteration of the lysis mediated by PBMC and NK-92 was detected by51Cr-release assays. Results HLA-G1 expression could be detected in PECs after transfection of HLA-G1 at the levels of protein andRNA. It also could be found that the survival rate of transfected PECs was muchhigher than that of non-transfected PECs, when both of them faced the lysismediated by human PBMC and NK-92.After transfecting the expression of HLA-G1 could be found in the transfected PECs and the lysis mediated by PBMC and NK-92 to PECs decreased obviously (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The PECs- transfected by HLAG1 can decrease the NK lysis, so that it may provide us a new thought to inhibit the xeno-cell-rejection.
ObjectiveTo observe the long-term outcome and biocompatibility of the porcine collagen membrane (DermalGen) after xenotransplantation in vivo.MethodsTwenty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10). DermalGen were implanted subcutaneously into the dorsum of rats in experimental group, and the rats in control group were treated with sham-operation. At 3, 7, and 15 days and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, the samples of experimental group were harvested and gross observation, histological observation, CD31 immunohistochemical staining, and transmission electron microscope observation were taken to observe the inflammatory reaction, angiogenesis, and collagen arrangement. The skin tissues of the control group at 12 months were observed and compared.ResultsAll incisions healed in experimental group, without obvious swelling and inflammatory reaction. The DermalGen was closely contact with the surrounding tissue without obvious rejection, and it was still legible at 12 months. Histological observation of experimental group showed that the infiltration of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells were seen at 7 days. More capillaries and fibroblast cells were seen and the inflammatory response gradually faded at 15 days and 1 month. There were abundant vessels and cells in the DermalGen at 3 months. The angiogenesis and fibroblasts decreased gradually, and the collagen started to format and margin blended simultaneously at 6 and 12 months. The inflammatory cells in experimental group at 15 days and 1 month were significantly more than that in control group (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found at 12 months between experimental group and control group (P>0.05). Immunohistochemical staining of experimental group showed that the angiogenesis changed obviously with the time, and the density of vessels decreased significantly at 12 months. Compared with control group, the possitive expressions of CD31 in experimental group at 15 days and 12 months after operation were signi?cantly decreased (P<0.05), and were significantly increased at 1 month (P<0.05). Transmision electron microscope observation showed that the arrangement of collagen in grafted DermalGen had no obvious changed when compared with the DermalGen, and vascular endothelial cell, capillarypericytes and fibroblast cells could be seen inside.ConclusionThe DermalGen structure is stable after long-term xenotransplantation and with good tolerogenic property in vivo.
ObjectiveTo prepare the aortic extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold by using different methods to decellularize porcine ascending aorta and to comprehensively compare the efficiency of decellularization and the damage of ECM, evaluation of biomechanical property and biocompatibil ity.
MethodsThirty specimens of fresh porcine ascending aorta were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=5). The porcine ascending aorta was decellularized by 5 different protocols in groups A-E: 0.1% trypsin/0.02% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)/PBS was used in group A, 1%Triton X-100/0.02% EDTA/ distilled water in group B, 1% sodium deoxycholic acid/distilled water in group C, 0.5% sodium deoxycholic acid/0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate/distilled water in group D, and 1% deoxycholic acid/distilled water in group E; and the porcine ascending aorta was not decellularized as control in group F. The ascending aorta scaffolds were investigated by gross examination, HE staining, DNA quantitative analysis, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe the efficiency of decellularization, microstructure of the ECM, the damage of collagen type Ⅰ and elastin, the structure of intimal surface, and biomechanical property. The 90 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=15). Each scaffold was implanted in the abdominal muscles of rats respectively to evaluate the immunogenicity and biocompatibil ity.
ResultsHE staining and quantitative analysis of DNA showed that the cells were completely removed only in groups A and D. The expression of collagen type Ⅰ in group A was significantly lower than that in the other 5 groups (P < 0.05), and serious damage of the basement membrane and decreased beomechanical property were observed. The maximum stress and tensile strength in group A was significantly lower than those in the other groups (P < 0.05), and elongation at break was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The destruction of collagen type Ⅰ was significant (P < 0.05) in group D, but the basement membrane was integrity, the biomechanical properties were close to the natural blood vessels (group F) (P > 0.05). Implantation results showed that the scaffold of group D had superior immunogenicity and histocompatibility to the scaffold of the other groups. The inflammatory reaction was gentle and the number of the inflammatory cell infiltration was lower in group D than in other groups (P < 0.05).
ConclusionIt is concludes that 0.5% sodium deoxycholic acid/0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate/distilled water is more suitable for the decellularization of porcine aorta, by which the acquired ECM scaffold has the potential for constructing tissue engineered vessel.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility of poly-L-lactide(PLLA)/porcinederived xenogeneic bone(PDXB) composite as a scaffold for the bone tissue engineering. Methods The film and the scaffold of the PLLA-PDXB composite were respectively prepared by a solution casting method and a solution casting-particle leaching method. The composite film and scaffold were further treated by the surface alkaline hydrolysis. The surface morphology of the composite was observed by the scanning electron microscopy, and hydrophilicity degree of the composite was measured. The OCT-1 osteoblastlike cells were cultured and amplified in vitro as the seeding cells, which werethen implanted on the film and scaffold. The adherence rate, adherence shape,proliferating activity, and growing morphology of the OCT-1 osteoblastlikecells were observed on the film. Results The PDXB particle 50 μm in diameter on average had a similar phase structure to that of hydroxyapatite. But its Ca/P ratio was lower than that of hydroxyapatite. After the surface alkaline hydrolysis, the PDXB particle could be exposed on the surface of the PLLA-PDXB composite. The surface roughness and hydrophilicity of the PLLAPDXB composite were obviously enhanced. The cell adherence rate and the cell proliferation activity of the PLLAPDXB composite were higher than those of the pure PLLA material. The cells tended to grow on the exposed surface of the PDXB particles. The cells seeded on the composite scaffold could migrate to the inside of the composite scaffold and grew well. Conclusion The PLLA-PDXB composite has a good cell affinity, and this kind of composite can hopefullybecome a new scaffold material to be used in the bone tissue engineering.
Objective To study the development of a physiologic fixation method and investigate the effect of physiologic fixation method on porcine aortic root and aortic valve leaflets. Methods Physiological fixer of aortic root was manufactured in a factory. The fixers with different diameter were made of organic glass. Porcine aortic root with ascending aorta and anterior leaflet of mitral valve and partial ventricular septum were dissected out from the fresh heart. The roots were attached to appropriately sized inflow and outflow spigots. Physiologic fixation was utilized to maintain aortic root and leaflets natural anatomical shape, the aortic root was pressurized to the inflow and outflow portions simultaneously, and the leaflets floated freely at zero-pressure differential with in the pressurized root. Results The process of physiologic fixation retained the properties of a native valve. The leaflets were much softer and extensible than those from valves fixed under low pressure. The results of pulsatile flow testing indicated that the effective orifice areas of predilation at 80mmHg were significantly greater than those of predilation at 40 mmHg（P〈0.05）, while mean pressure differences were found to be lower comparatively（P〈0.05）. This difference translates into a mode of valve function that more closely approximates that of the native aortic valve. Conclusion Physiologic fixation process retains the valve＇s natural anatomical shape as well as the underlying structure of the leaflets, providing improved flow characteristics.
To overcome the disadvantages of the artificial materials, to design pedicled demucosal small intestinal sheet to repair full-thickness abdominal wall defect. Methods The porcine model of full-thickness abdominal wall defect by resecting 10 cm × 7 cm abdominal wall tissue (from skin to peritoneum) in 20 female animals, which were randomizedto jejunum and ileum sheet groups(n=10). Defect of abdominal wall were repaired with pedicled demucosal jejunum/ileum sheet respectively and immediate spl it-thickness free skin grafting. The general condition was observed and the tension strength of the repaired abdominal wall was measured 30 days postoperatively. In another 5 models, defect was repaired with pedicled demucosal small intestinal sheets and immediate spl it-thickness free skin grafting. The histological change and tissue thickness of the pedicled demucosal small intestinal sheet, spl it-thickness free skin graft and the repaired abdominal wall were observed and measured respectively after 30 days of operation. Results The operations were successful and no operative death occurred in all animals. All pedicled demucosal small intestinal sheets primarily healed to the edge of defected abdominal walls. Neither infection nor wound dehiscence occurred. All the spl it-thickness free skin grafting were successful. Regeneration of the intestinal mucosa occurred 4 days to 5 days postoperatively in 3 animals (2 of jejunum sheet group and 1 of ileum sheet group) at the initial stage andwere successfully treated. No postoperative herniation occurred in all animals. The cel iac pressure of herniation of the repaired abdominal wall jejunum/ileum sheet was (24.8 ± 3.4) kPa in jejunum sheet group and (21.3 ± 2.8) kPa in ileum sheet group, and the difference was significant (P lt; 0.01). No rupture of the repaired abdominal wall occurred in jejunum and ileum sheet groups when the cel iac pressure was 40 kPa. Before repairing the abdominal wall defects, there was a l ittle residual mucosal tissue on the surface of all pedicled demucosal small intestinal sheets. At the 30th day after operation, conspicuous hyperplasia and thickening occurred in all parts of tissue of the repaired abdominal walls and the residual mucosal tissue disappeared completely. Conclusion Because of simple operation, satisfactory achievement ratio, good effect, no important compl ication, and no use of expensive prosthetic materials, it is a feasible method to repair the full-thickness abdominal wall defect with pedicled demucosal small intestinal sheet.
