Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4. Histological micrographs for native (a),(c) and decellurized (b),(d) perichardial tissue
in H&E (top) and alcian blue (bottom) staining
It has been proposed that an anionic detergent binds to proteins, increases negative charges
and results in tissue irreversible swelling (Courtman et al., 1994). In addition, a highly
negative charged perichardial tissue has been associated to a higher tendency to tissue
calcification (Jorge-Herrero et al., 2010). Due to these adverse effects, non-ionic detergents
are preferred over ionic surfactants in the decellularization process of perichardial tissue.
However, there are some issues related to the use of aromatic (phenolic) or non-aromatic
(non-phenolic) non-ionic detergents used in the decellularization process. For example, the
biodegradation products of derivatives of non-ionic detergents such as alkylphenol
ethoxylates have been associated to toxicity (Argese et al., 1994) and estrogenic effects (Soto
et al., 1991; Jobling & Sumpter et al., 1993). Figure 4 shows the histological results for bovine
perichardial tissue decellularized with a non-aromatic non-ionic detergents. In this case, a
reduction in the cell nuclei present in bovine perichardial tissue and a decrease in the
glycosaminoglycan content after decellularization treatment were observed (Mendoza-
Novelo et al., 2011).
In addition to tissue decellularization with nonionic surfactants, reversible swelling has also
been studied. In this case, the reversible alkaline swelling did not change the three-
dimensional architecture of native bovine perichardium. This means that the laminar
structure and fibrous nature of the native perichardial tissue were maintained after
decellularization although the opening of the interfibrilar spaces was observed. The
reversible alkaline swelling cause a reversible change in the tissue thickness i.e. increased
45% after swelling step, but the tissue original thickness was regained after deswelling step.
