Decellularization of human iliac artery: A vascular scaffold for peripheral repairs with human mesenchymal cells

David E Abad-Contreras; Ana K Martínez-Ortiz; Valentín Martínez-López; Hugo Laparra-Escareño; Francisco Drusso Martínez-García; Daniel Pérez-Calixto; Genaro Vazquez-Victorio; Omar Sepúlveda-Robles; Haydeé Rosas-Vargas; Cristina Piña-Barba; Leonardo A Rodríguez-López; David M Giraldo-Gomez; Carlos A Hinojosa

doi:10.1016/j.tice.2024.102686

Decellularization of human iliac artery: A vascular scaffold for peripheral repairs with human mesenchymal cells

Tissue Cell. 2024 Dec 19:93:102686. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102686. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory for Biomaterials, Materials Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Laboratory for Biomaterials, Materials Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
³ Unit of Tissue Engineering, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación "Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra", Coapa, Arenal Tepepan, Calzada México-Xochimilco 289, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
⁴ National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition of Mexico Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Secc. 16, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico.
⁵ Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, the Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences UNAM, Circuito Exterior s/n Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad 3000, Alcaldía Coyoacán, CDMX CP 04510, Mexico; Subdirectorate of Population Genomics. National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Periférico Sur No. 4809, Col. Arenal Tepepan, Alcaldía Tlalpan, CDMX CP 1461, Mexico.
⁷ Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences UNAM, Circuito Exterior s/n Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad 3000, Alcaldía Coyoacán, CDMX CP 04510, Mexico.
⁸ Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, UMAE Pediatric Hospital, "Siglo XXI" National Medical Center, Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), CDMX, Mexico.
⁹ Laboratory for Biomaterials, Materials Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
¹⁰ Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Interior, Edificio "A" 3°piso, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; Microscopy Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Interior, Edificio "A" planta baja, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.

PMID: 39724840
DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102686

Abstract

This work presents strong evidence supporting the use of decellularized human iliac arteries combined with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) as a promising alternative for vascular tissue engineering, opening the path to future treatments for peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a progressive condition with high rates of amputation and mortality due to ischemic damage and limited graft options. Traditional synthetic grafts often fail due to poor integration, while autologous grafts may be unsuitable for patients with compromised vascular health. This study explores the potential of decellularized human iliac arteries as scaffolds for vascular grafts, focusing on preserving extracellular matrix (ECM) ultrastructure while minimizing immunogenic response. A perfusion-based protocol with enzymatic and detergent agents effectively removed cellular material, resulting in scaffolds with preserved ECM architecture, including organized collagen and elastin fibers. To assess scaffold bioactivity, hASCs were seeded onto the decellularized ECM, demonstrating high viability. Structural assessments, including histological staining and mechanical testing, confirmed that decellularized arteries retained their hierarchical structure and exhibited increased stiffness, suggesting an adaptive realignment of ECM fibers. Thermal and ultrastructural analyses further showed that decellularized scaffolds maintained stability and integrity comparable to native tissue, underscoring their durability for clinical applications. The human iliac artery shows potential as a vascular scaffold due to its accessibility and the ability to support the viability of hASC. Future research will emphasize in vivo validation and strategies for functional recellularization to evaluate the clinical viability of these engineered vascular grafts.

Keywords: Arteries; Biomimetic materials; Decellularization; Extracellular matrix (ECM); Mesenchymal stem cells; Regenerative medicine; Tissue engineering; Vascular graft.