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Preparation and evaluation of decellularized porcine carotid arteries cross-linked by genipin: the preliminary results

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Abstract

Decellularized arteries have been considered as promising scaffolds for small-diameter vascular substitutes. However, weakened mechanical properties, immunological rejection and rapid degradation after transplantation still exist after decellularization. Previous studies indicated that genipin cross-linking can solve these problems. Therefore, genipin was selected as the cross-linking agent for the pre-treatment of decellularized arteries in our study. Histological analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties analysis and subcutaneous embedding experiment were adopted to investigate the efficiency of decellularization and the effect of genipin cross-linking on improving mechanical, structural and biological properties of decellularized arteries. Decellularization protocols based on three trypsin concentrations were used to prepare decellularized arteries, after decellularization, arteries were cross-linked with genipin. Results showed that 0.5% trypsin was the most efficient concentration to remove cellular components and preserve ECM. However, mechanical properties of 0.5% trypsin decellularized arteries weakened significantly, while genipin cross-linking improved mechanical properties of decellularized arteries to the same level as fresh arteries. After 4 weeks subcutaneous embedding, cross-linked arteries caused the mildest inflammatory response. In conclusion, genipin could be employed as an ideal cross-linking agent to strengthen mechanical properties, enhance the resistance to degradation and reduce the antigenicity of decellularized arteries for small-diameter blood vessel tissue engineering applications.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFC1104100) and the Capital Health Research and Development of Special, Beijing, China (No. 2016-1-2012).

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  1. Yongquan Gu and Fei Wang are the co-first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vascular Surgery, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University and Institute of Vascular Surgery, Capital Medical University, No. 45, Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China

    Yongquan Gu, Fei Wang, Jianxin Li, Cong Wang, Liqiang Li, Zeqin Xu & Jian Zhang

  2. Department of Central Laboratory, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 45, Changchun Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China

    Rong Wang

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  1. Yongquan Gu
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  2. Fei Wang
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  5. Cong Wang
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  6. Liqiang Li
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  8. Jian Zhang
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Correspondence to Jian Zhang.

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Gu, Y., Wang, F., Wang, R. et al. Preparation and evaluation of decellularized porcine carotid arteries cross-linked by genipin: the preliminary results. Cell Tissue Bank 19, 311–321 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-017-9675-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-017-9675-9

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