BACKGROUND A tissue engineering technique based on use of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a scaffold shows great potential for preparing small-caliber vascular grafts. Decellularization protocols are still not standardized for bioengineering. The effects of freeze-thaw cycles used for decellularization are unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on porcine carotid arteries during decellularization and to develop a promising protocol for preparing ECM scaffolds. METHODS Porcine carotid arteries were decellularized with freeze-thaw cycles followed by three different chemical protocols. Histological analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical tests and pore size measurement were performed to assess their effects on the ECM. RESULTS The composition, structure, and mechanical properties were not significantly changed after freeze-thaw cycles, with the exception of endothelial cells loss. Freeze-thaw led to a porous structure within arteries. The use of Triton X-100 followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) resulted in ECM scaffolds with well-preserved composition, structure, and mechanical properties, as well as with adequate porosity. CONCLUSIONS As the initial step for decellularization, freeze-thaw had little impact on arteries. Decellularized porcine carotid arteries, prepared using freeze-thaw cycles followed by treatment with Triton X-100 and SDS, may serve as a promising biological scaffold as a tissue-engineered vascular graft.

中文翻译：

---

冻融与去污剂的组合：猪颈动脉脱细胞的一种有前途的方法。

背景技术基于使用细胞外基质（ECM）作为支架的组织工程技术显示出制备小口径血管移植物的巨大潜力。脱细胞方案对于生物工程仍未标准化。用于脱细胞的冻融循环的作用是未知的。目的评估冻融循环对猪颈动脉脱细胞过程的影响，并开发一种有前途的制备ECM支架的方案。方法猪的颈动脉通过冻融循环脱细胞，然后进行三种不同的化学操作。进行组织学分析，扫描电子显微镜，机械测试和孔径测量以评估其对ECM的影响。结果组成，结构，冻融循环后，除了内皮细胞损失外，其力学性能没有明显变化。冻融导致动脉内的多孔结构。使用Triton X-100，然后使用十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS），可以制成具有良好保留的组成，结构和机械性能以及足够孔隙度的ECM支架。结论作为脱细胞的第一步，冻融对动脉的影响很小。用冻融循环制备脱细胞的猪颈动脉，然后用Triton X-100和SDS处理，可作为组织工程化的血管移植物用作有前途的生物支架。使用Triton X-100，然后使用十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS），可以制成具有良好保留的组成，结构和机械性能以及足够孔隙率的ECM支架。结论作为脱细胞的第一步，冻融对动脉的影响很小。用冻融循环制备脱细胞的猪颈动脉，然后用Triton X-100和SDS处理，可作为组织工程化的血管移植物用作有前途的生物支架。使用Triton X-100，然后使用十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS），可以制成具有良好保留的组成，结构和机械性能以及足够孔隙度的ECM支架。结论作为脱细胞的第一步，冻融对动脉的影响很小。用冻融循环制备脱细胞的猪颈动脉，然后用Triton X-100和SDS处理，可作为组织工程化的血管移植物用作有前途的生物支架。