Altered structural and mechanical properties in decellularized rabbit carotid arteries

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2008-12-11Type of Work
22 pagesText
journal articles postprints
Citation of Original Publication
C. Williams , J. Liao, E.M. Joyce , B. Wang , J.B. Leach , M.S. Sacks , J.Y. Wong , Altered structural and mechanical properties in decellularized rabbit carotid arteries, Acta Biomaterialia Volume 5, Issue 4, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2008.11.028Rights
This item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.Subjects
decellularized arteryextracellular matrix
small-angle light scattering
fiber orientation
mechanical properties
Abstract
Recently, major achievements in creating decellularized whole tissue scaffolds have drawn
considerable attention to decellularization as a promising approach for tissue engineering.
Decellularized tissues are expected to have mechanical strength and structure similar to the native
tissues from which they are derived. However, numerous studies have shown that mechanical
properties change after decellularization. Often, tissue structure is observed by histology and electron
microscopy, but the structural alterations that may have occurred are not always evident. Here, a
variety of techniques were used to investigate changes in tissue structure and relate them to altered
mechanical behavior in decellularized rabbit carotid arteries. Histology and scanning electrom
microscopy revealed that major extracellular matrix components were preserved and fibers appeared
intact, although collagen appeared looser and less crimped after decellularization. Transmission
electrom microscopy confirmed the presence of proteoglycans (PG), but there was decreased PG
density and increased spacing between collagen fibrils. Mechanical testing and opening angle
measurements showed that decellularized arteries had significantly increased stiffness, decreased
extensibility and decreased residual stress compared with native arteries. Small-angle light scattering
revealed that fibers had increased mobility and that structural integrity was compromised in
decellularized arteries. Taken together, these studies revealed structural alterations that could be
related to changes in mechanical properties. Further studies are warranted to determine the specific
effects of different decellularization methods on the structure and performance of decellularized
arteries used as vascular grafts.