Effects of two different decellularization routes on the mechanical properties of decellularized lungs

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 1;12(6):e0178696. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178696. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Considering the limited number of available lung donors, lung bioengineering using whole lung scaffolds has been proposed as an alternative approach to obtain lungs suitable for transplantation. However, some decellularization protocols can cause alterations on the structure, composition, or mechanical properties of the lung extracellular matrix. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the acellular lung mechanical properties when using two different routes through the trachea and pulmonary artery for the decellularization process. This study was performed by using the lungs excised from 30 healthy male C57BL/6 mice, which were divided into 3 groups: tracheal decellularization (TDG), perfusion decellularization (PDG), and control groups (CG). Both decellularized groups were subjected to decellularization protocol with a solution of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The behaviour of mechanical properties of the acellular lungs was measured after decellularization process. Static (Est) and dynamic (Edyn) elastances were obtained by the end-inspiratory occlusion method. TDG and PDG showed reduced Est and Edyn elastances after lung decellularization. Scanning electron microscopy showed no structural changes after lung decellularization of the TDG and PDG. In conclusion, was demonstrated that there is no significant difference in the behaviour of mechanical properties and extracellular matrix of the decellularized lungs by using two different routes through the trachea and pulmonary artery.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Lung / cytology*
  • Lung / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Tissue Engineering

Grants and funding

This work was partially funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (PI14- 00280 and PI14/0004). LVFO received grants of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (acronym CNPq), Research Productivity modality – PQIB, process 311426/2014-0, Luis Vicente Franco Oliveira.