Physical Properties of the Extracellular Matrix of Decellularized Porcine Liver.

Journal: Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
Published Date:

Abstract

The decellularization of organs has attracted attention as a new functional methodology for regenerative medicine based on tissue engineering. In previous work we developed an L-ECM (Extracellular Matrix) as a substrate-solubilized decellularized liver and demonstrated its effectiveness as a substrate for culturing and transplantation. Importantly, the physical properties of the substrate constitute important factors that control cell behavior. In this study, we aimed to quantify the physical properties of L-ECM and L-ECM gels. L-ECM was prepared as a liver-specific matrix substrate from solubilized decellularized porcine liver. In comparison to type I collagen, L-ECM yielded a lower elasticity and exhibited an abrupt decrease in its elastic modulus at 37 °C. Its elastic modulus increased at increased temperatures, and the storage elastic modulus value never fell below the loss modulus value. An increase in the gel concentration of L-ECM resulted in a decrease in the biodegradation rate and in an increase in mechanical strength. The reported properties of L-ECM gel (10 mg/mL) were equivalent to those of collagen gel (3 mg/mL), which is commonly used in regenerative medicine and gel cultures. Based on reported findings, the physical properties of the novel functional substrate for culturing and regenerative medicine L-ECM were quantified.

Authors

  • Hiroyuki Ijima
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. ijima@chem-eng.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
  • Shintaro Nakamura
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. s.nakamura@kyudai.jp.
  • Ronald Bual
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. ronald.bual@g.msuiit.edu.ph.
  • Nana Shirakigawa
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. shirakigawa@chem-eng.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
  • Shuichi Tanoue
    Frontier Fiber Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-8507, Japan. tanoue@matse.u-fukui.ac.jp.

Keywords

No keywords available for this article.