Preparation and characterization of small-diameter decellularized scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering in an animal model

Abstract Background The development of a suitable extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold is the first step in vascular tissue engineering (VTE). Synthetic vascular grafts are available as an alternative to autologous vessels in large-diameter arteries (>8 mm) and medium-diameter arteries (6–8 mm). In small-diameter vessels ( Results The protocols differed in the choice of enzymatic digestion solvent, the use of non-ionic detergent, the durations of the individual steps, and UV crosslinking. Due to their small diameter and ready availability, rabbit arteria carotis were used as the source of the ECM scaffolds. The scaffolds were subcutaneously implanted in rats and the results were evaluated using various microscopy and immunostaining techniques. Conclusions Our findings showed that a 2 h digestion time with 1× EDTA, replacing non-ionic detergent with double-distilled water for rinsing and the application of UV crosslinking gave rise to an ECM scaffold with the highest biocompatibility, lowest cytotoxicity and best mechanical properties for use in vivo or in situ pre-clinical research in VTE in comparison.