QS4: Optimizing The Decellularization Of The Rodent Epigastric Free Flap: A Comparison Of Automated SDS-based Protocols

摘要

Raising flaps to cover complex wounds with exposed critical structures are lengthy operations that result in donor site morbidity. Tissue engineering research is developing with great promise to build replacement tissues without morbidity. Decellularization removes whole cells and cell debris, and is the initial step to create a scaffold with an intact vascular network. Benchmark measurement of the overall cellular level is quantification of the DNA content, where 50 ng/mg is classically considered as a threshold. Although perfusion decellularization and recellularization approaches have shown exceptional promise in whole organ engineering, there is minimal crossover into the microsurgical field. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-based protocols are known to have deleterious effects on the ultrastructure and capillary network of the scaffolds, but remain the predominant choice for decellularization protocols. This study aims to optimize the SDS exposure protocol for automated decellularization by comparing different SDS perfusion times to gain better understanding of the balance between decellularization and scaffold preservation.