Decellularized pancreas as a native extracellular matrix scaffold for pancreatic islet seeding and culture

In this study, mouse pancreata were decellularized by perfusion using 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Different characterizations revealed that the resulting matrix was free of cells and retained part of the pancreas ECM including the vasculature and its internal elastic basal lamina, the ducts with their basal membrane as well as the glycosaminoglycan and collagen structures. Islets were infused into the ductal system of decellularized pancreata and glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) results confirmed their functionality after 48h. Also, re‐cellularizing the decellularized pancreas with GFP‐tagged INS‐1 cells and culturing the system over 120 days confirmed the biocompatibility and non‐toxic nature of the scaffold. GFP‐tagged INS‐1 cells formed pseudo‐islets which were, over time, budding out of the decellularized pancreata. Decellularized pancreatic scaffolds seeded with endocrine pancreatic tissue could be a potential bioengineered organ for transplantation.
Source: Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research