Publication details
Bioreactor Processed Stromal Cell Seeding and Cultivation on Decellularized Pericardium Patches for Cardiovascular Use
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2020 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Applied Sciences-Basel |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/16/5473 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app10165473 |
| Keywords | bioreactor; cardiovascular patch; decellularization; recellularization; pericardium |
| Description | Featured Application In this study, we have prepared decellularized pericardium repopulated with adipose tissue-derived stromal cells for potential use as implantable cardiovascular patches. Novel optimized dynamic decellularization and recellularization systems have been used and demonstrated. In this bioreactor, the stromal cells deeply repopulated the full thickness of the matrix, and they pre-differentiated towards the smooth muscle cell phenotype by applying cyclic pressure stimulation. Thus, these dynamically recellularized patches resemble vascular tunica media. These grafts may be further applied in animal experiments to assess surface endothelialization and in vivo remodelling. Animal tissue is of large potential availability and decellularization renders the matrix non-immunogenic. Autologous adipose cells for recellularization can be harvested through small biopsy in human patients with cardiovascular disease. A potential application of this approach is manufacturing a tissue-engineered cardiovascular patch with improved biocompatibility for the surgical repair of the human heart or vessels, such as the carotid artery or femoral artery. (1)Background: Decellularized xenogeneic tissues are promising matrices for developing tissue-engineered cardiovascular grafts. In vitro recellularization of these tissues with stromal cells can provide a better in vivo remodelling and a lower thrombogenicity of the graft. The process of recellularization can be accelerated using a cultivation bioreactor simulating physiological conditions and stimuli. (2)Methods: Porcine pericardium was decellularized using a custom-built decellularization system with an optimized protocol. Autologous porcine adipose-derived stromal cells (PrASCs), isolated from the subcutaneous fat tissue, were used for recellularizing the decellularized pericardium. A custom cultivation bioreactor allowing the fixing of the decellularized tissue into a special cultivation chamber was created. The bioreactor maintained micro-perfusion and pulsatile pressure stimulation in order to promote the ingrowth of PrASCs inside the tissue and their differentiation. (3)Results: The dynamic cultivation promoted the ingrowth of cells into the decellularized tissue. Under static conditions, the cells penetrated only to the depth of 50 mu m, whereas under dynamic conditions, the tissue was colonized up to 250 mu m. The dynamic cultivation also supported the cell differentiation towards smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In order to ensure homogeneous cell colonization of the decellularized matrices, the bioreactor was designed to allow seeding of the cells from both sides of the tissue prior to the stimulation. In this case, the decellularized tissue was recolonized with cells within 5 days of dynamic cultivation. (4)Conclusions: Our newly designed dynamic bioreactor markedly accelerated the colonization of decellularized pericardium with ASCs and cell differentiation towards the SMC phenotype. |