Endothelial and smooth muscle cell populations in a decellularized cryopreserved aortic homograft (SynerGraft) 2 years after implantation.

摘要

While the cryopreserved homograft heart valve is an established option for patients requiring replacement of damaged or diseased aortic valves, there is evidence that valve durability may be negatively impacted by the allogenicity of residual viable cells.1 Decellularization techniques, like the SynerGraft process, reduce the cellular content of homograft valves, in hopes of modifying the host immune response to the graft. Uncertainty remains over the mechanism and extent of "recellularization" occurring in these decellularized grafts after implantation in humans. Characterization of cells populating the implanted decellularized grafts is important in understanding host adaptation and possibly in-vivo longevity of the grafts. This report details the histomorphologic and immunophenotypic features of cells identified in a decellularized (SynerGraft) aortic valve recovered two years after implantation.