Biomechanical proprieties of decellularized umbilical cord vessels

Abstract

Introduction: Each year Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are causing over 4 mln deaths in Europe, 47% from total deaths. The high level of deaths caused by vascular pathology and the deficit of autografts, because of comorbidities and other causes, and deficit of synthetic grafts with small lumen (ID<6mm) as well, creates objectives for using tissue engineering in obtaining compatible alo-xenogenic vessels, after decellularization-recellularization principle. Aim: determining an optimal method of blood vessel decellularization by maximal preservation of it’s biological proprieties.

Material and methods: Study object – human umbilical artery (n = 24; 18 – being decellularized, 6 – control lot). The decellularization was done by following methods: enzymatic – 0.25% Tripsin solution; chemical – 1% SDS solution, combined method – 0.25% Tripsin solution + 1% SDS sol. The decellularization efficiency was established through microscopical study of the histological slides.

Results: After decellularization pure matrix was obtained just through combined and chemical method (using SDS sol.), partial decellularization - through enzymatic method (using Tripsin sol 0.25%), being proved histologically. The results for vessel stretch test: 1,8±0.03N – combined method; 1,53±0.02N – enzymatic method; 1,83±0,11N – chemical method and 2,33±0,22N for intact vessels. In swelling test all the vessels resisted to maximal pressure, that was possible to obtain by our device – 280 mmHg.

Conclusion: The most effective decellularization was obtained through combined and chemical method. Analyzing the strech and swelling test results, we can deduct that the vessels obtained through these 2 methods can be used as biological grafts.