Avaliação e caracterização de matriz extracelular colagenosa descelularizada como implante subcutâneo em modelo murino

Abstract

With the growing demand to develop and evaluate materials for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, the present study aimed to verify the applicability of a new porcine decellularized scleral tissue as a subcutaneous implant. The sclera is an essential connective ocular tissue, which plays a key role in supporting the eye structure, as well as protecting nearby ocular tissues. Its main composition is of water, collagen, elastin, proteoglicans, glycoproteins and fibroblasts. The biomaterial was characterized by its structure and main composition, along with a decellularization protocol in order to remove cellular content and allow xenogeneic implantation. DNA extraction and histology proved the efficacy of the decellularization process. Scanning electron microscopy and hydroxyproline assay were used to assess the morphological structure and main composition of the tissue, indicating great collagen content. Furthermore, decellularized extracellular matrix sections were implanted in rats to evaluate the inflammatory response and behavior of the implant. Results showed presence of inflammation, playing a key role in cicatrization as well as formation of a new tissue, along with the development of fibroblastic and angionenic activities, suggesting tissue remodeling and integration. This way, the decellularized extracellular matrix may have potential to be considered as a biomaterial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields.