The authors acknowledge the support of research grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (31371390), the Program of the State High-Tech Development Project (2014AA020702) and the program of Guangdong Science and Technology (2016B030231001).

All animal work was performed in accordance with animal welfare act, institutional guidelines and approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Sun Yat-sen University.
1. Preparation of TEM
<ol>
	<li>Execute mice by cervical dislocation and remove the tongues using sterile surgical scissors and tweezers.</li>
	<li>Immerse the tongues in 75% ethanol for 3 min, then put each tongue into a 1.5 mL Eppendorf (EP) tube with 1 mL of 10 mM sterile phosphate buffered solution (PBS). 
...

<ol>
	<li>Elfring, T., Boliek, C. A., Winget, M., Paulsen, C., Seikaly, H., Rieger, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+relationship+between+lingual+and+hypoglossal+nerve+function+and+quality+of+life+in+head+and+neck+cancer.">The relationship between lingual and hypoglossal nerve function and quality of life in head and neck cancer.</a> J. Oral Rehabil. 41, 133-140 (2014).</li><li>Patel, S. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Increasing+incidence+of+oral+tongue+squamous+cell+carcinoma+in+young+white+women,+Age+18+to+44+Years.">Increasing incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in young white women, Age 18 to 44 Years.</a> J. Clin. Oncol. 29, 1488-1494 (2011).</li><li>Zhao, L., Huang, L., Yu, S., Zheng, J., Wang, H., Zhang, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decellularized+tongue+tissue+as+an+in+vitro.+model+for+studying+tongue+cancer+and+tongue+regeneration.">Decellularized tongue tissue as an in vitro. model for studying tongue cancer and tongue regeneration.</a> Acta Biomaterialia. 58, 122-135 (2017).</li><li>Ng, S. L., Narayanan, K., Gao, S., Wan, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lineage+restricted+progenitors+for+the+repopulation+of+decellularized+heart.">Lineage restricted progenitors for the repopulation of decellularized heart.</a> Biomaterials. 32, 7571-7580 (2011).</li><li>Ott, H. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perfusion-decellularized+matrix:+using+nature's+platform+to+engineer+a+bioartificial+heart.">Perfusion-decellularized matrix: using nature's platform to engineer a bioartificial heart.</a> Nat. Med. 14, 213-221 (2008).</li><li>Remlinger, N. T., Wearden, P. D., Gilbert, T. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Procedure+for+decellularization+of+porcine+heart+by+retrograde+coronary+perfusion.">Procedure for decellularization of porcine heart by retrograde coronary perfusion.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (6), e50059 (2012).</li><li>Wainwright, J. 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M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+assessment+of+detergent-based+protocols+for+mouse+lung+de-cellularization+and+re-cellularization.">Comparative assessment of detergent-based protocols for mouse lung de-cellularization and re-cellularization.</a> Tissue Eng. Part C-ME. 18, 420-432 (2012).</li><li>Ross, E. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+stem+cells+proliferate+and+differentiate+when+seeded+into+kidney+scaffolds.">Embryonic stem cells proliferate and differentiate when seeded into kidney scaffolds.</a> J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 20, 2338-2347 (2009).</li><li>Song, J. J., Guyette, J. P., Gilpin, S., Gonzalez, G., Vacanti, J. P., Ott, H. 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W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perspectives+on+whole-organ+assembly:+moving+toward+transplantation+on+demand.">Perspectives on whole-organ assembly: moving toward transplantation on demand.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 122, 3817-3823 (2012).</li><li>Song, J. J., Ott, H. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organ+engineering+based+on+decellularized+matrix+scaffolds.">Organ engineering based on decellularized matrix scaffolds.</a> Trends Mol. Med. 17, 424-432 (2011).</li><li>Badylak, S. 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A well-established protocol for decellularized ECM fabrication should retain the native ECM composition while removing cellular components in tissues nearly completely21. Despite currently reported decellularization protocols which require perfusion through the vasculature to remove cellular materials by convective transport, mechanical agitation was adopted here, known as a traditional simple and cheap method22,23,<sup class="x...

The tongue has various important functions, such as deglutition, articulation, and tasting. Thus, the impairment of tongue function has great impact on patients&#39; quality of life1. The most common malignancy in the oral cavity is tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), which usually occurs in people who drink alcohol or smoke tobacco2.
In recent years, little progress has been achieved in fundamental research on TSCC. The lack of efficient in vitro research models remains to be one of the biggest problems. Thus, the extracellular matrix (ECM) turns out to be a potential solution. Since ECM is a complex network frame composed of highly organized matrix components, scaffold materials having an ECM-like structure and composition would be competent for cancer research. Decellularized ECM can perfectly provide the niche for the cells from the same origin in vitro, which turns out to be the most significant advantage of ECM.
ECM can be retained with cellular components being removed from the tissues through the decellularization using detergents and enzymes. Various ECM components, including collagen, fibronectin, and laminin in decellularized matrix provide a native-tissue-like microenvironment for cultured cells, promoting the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of the cells3. Moreover, the immunogenicity for transplantation can be reduced to a minimal level with the absence of cellular components in ECM.
So far, fabrication methods for decellularized ECM have been tried in different tissues and organs, such as heart4,5,6,7, liver8,9,10,11, lung12,13,14,15,16,17, and kidney18,19,20. However, no relevant research has be found on similar work in the tongue to the best of our knowledge.
In this study, decellularized tongue extracellular matrix (TEM) was fabricated both efficiently and cheaply by a series of physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatment. Then the TEM was used to recapitulate TSCC in vitro, showing an appropriate simulation for TSCC behavior and development. TEM has good biocompatibility as well as the ability to guide the cells to the tissue-specific niche, which indicates that TEM may have great potential in TSCC research3. The protocol shown here provides a choice for researchers studying on either pathogenesis or clinical therapies of TSCC.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:891px;" width="891">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">C57-BL/6J mice</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sun Yat-sen University Laboratory Animal Center</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:264px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ethanol</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Guangzhou Chemical Reagent Factory</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">HB15-GR-2.5L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sodium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A501218</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Potassium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A100395</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Dibasic Sodium Phosphate</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Guangzhou Chemical Reagent Factory</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BE14-GR-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Potassium Phosphate Monobasic&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A501211</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">1.5 mL EP tube</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Axygen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">MCT-150-A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ultra-low temperature freezer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">3.5 cm cell culture dish</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">153066</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">6 cm cell culture dish</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Greiner</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">628160</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Triton X-100</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">V900502</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Calcium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">746495</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Magnesium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">449164</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">DNase</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D5025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Magnesium sulphate</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A601988</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">158968</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S5761</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ampicillin</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A9393</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Kanamycin</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">PHR1487</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Surgical suture</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Shanghai Jinhuan</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">250 mL wide-mouth bottle</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">SHUNIU</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1407</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Magnetic stirrer</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">AS ONE</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1-4602-32</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">CO2 incubator</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">SHEL LAB</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SCO5A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">10 mL syringe</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Hunan Pingan</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">50 mL centrifuge tube</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Greiner</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">227270</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Cal27 cell</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai Cell Bank</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">U2OS cell</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai Cell Bank</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Human osteosarcoma cell line</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">DMEM/F12</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D0547</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sodium pyruvate</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P5280</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Hepes free acid</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">BBI</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A600264</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">FBS</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Hyclone</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SH30084.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">4 &#176;C fridge</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">Haier</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Water purifier</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">ELGA</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Hemocytometer</td>
			<td style="width:292px;">BLAU</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">717805</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fabrication of tongue extracellular matrix and reconstitution of tongue squamous cell carcinoma in vitro

In order to construct an effective and realistic model for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in vitro, the methods were created to produce decellularized tongue extracellular matrix (TEM) which provides functional scaffolds for TSCC construction. TEM provides an in vitro niche for cell growth, differentiation, and cell migration. The microstructures of native extracellular matrix (ECM) and biochemical compositions retained in the decellularized matrix provide tissue-specific niches for anchoring cells. The fabrication of TEM can be realized by deoxyribonuclease (DNase) digestion accompanied with a serious of organic or inorganic pretreatment. This protocol is easy to operate and ensures high efficiency for the decellularization. The TEM showed favorable cytocompatibility for TSCC cells under static or stirred culture conditions, which enables the construction of the TSCC model. A self-made bioreactor was also used for the persistent stirred condition for cell culture. Reconstructed TSCC using TEM showed the characteristics and properties resembling clinical TSCC histopathology, suggesting the potential in TSCC research.

This protocol for the preparation of TEM turns out to be efficient and appropriate. The TEM showed perfect decellularization compared with native tongue tissues. The efficacy of decellularization was confirmed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining (Figure 1A-B). The HE staining results revealed complete disappearance of nuclear staining in TEM (Figure 1B). Moreover, DNA content quantification from p...

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Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro

A method is shown here for the preparation of the tongue extracellular matrix (TEM) with efficient decellularization. The TEM can be used as functional scaffolds for the reconstruction of a tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) model under static or stirred culture conditions.

Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro

In order to construct an effective and realistic model for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in vitro, the methods were created to produce ...

This method can help answer key questions in oral cancer research field, such as how to build an appropriate T-assist model in-vitro. The main advantage of this technique is that reconstructed TSCC express tumor characteristics that bear a strong resemblance to clinical TSCC histopathology. When first had the idea for this method when we realized that 2-D cultured TSCC cells did not properly exhibit the native phenotype of TSCC.Furthermore, we realized the importance of extracellular matrix for cancer survival evasion and differentiation. Visual demonstration of this method is critical as the preparation of tongue extracellular matrix and 3-D culture using a mini bioreactor are difficult to learn through words only, and are best as seen for clarification. After isolating the tongues from euthanized mice according to the text protocol, immerse the tissue in 75%ethanol for three minutes.Then transfer each tongue into a 1.5 milliliter microcentrifuge tube, with one milliliter of 10 milliMolar sterile PBS. To carry out cell lysis, freeze the tongues at minus 80 degrees Celsius for one hour. Then thaw the tissue at room temperature for 45 minutes.Repeat the freeze/thaw two more times. Next, in a 3 1/2 centimeter or six centimeter culture dish containing 75%ethanol, use a surgical needle to load each tongue onto a piece of surgical suture. And with a small piece of sterile tin foil, wrap the end of the suture.In a 3 1/2 centimeter or six centimeter culture dish, use three milliliters of PBS to rinse each tongue for 30 seconds. Then, in a wide-mouth bottle, prepare 90 micrograms per milliliter of ampicillin in 250 milliliters of sterile, ultra-pure water and add a stir bar. Lower up to the five tongues into the bottle, until they are approximately two centimeters from the bottom, and tighten the cap with part of the suture remaining outside the bottle.Place the bottle on a magnetic stirrer for 12 hours. Then, after the incubation, prepare 250 milliliters of 90 micrograms per milliliter of ampicillin in sterile one Molar sodium chloride. Transfer the tongues and stir bar into the bottle, and screw on the cap.Place the bottle on the magnetic stirrer for 24 hours. To carry out cell lysis, prepare 90 micrograms per milliliter of ampicillin in 250 milliliters of sterile 2%TritonX-100 in PBS. Transfer the tongues and the stir bar to the bottle, and tighten the cap.Then stir the bottle for 48 hours. After preparing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride with ampicillin, move the tissue and stir bar into the bottle, and stir the bottle for 24 hours. Prepare one milliliter of 300 microMolar DNase in HBSS in one microcentrifuge tube for each tongue sample.Transfer the tongues into the tubes, with the same portion of suture hanging outside. Then incubate the tissues at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Transfer the samples back to a wide mouth bottle of steril PBS with ampicillin, and place it on the stirrer for 24 hours.Following the incubation, store the prepared tongue extracellular matrix, or TEM, in sterile PBS at four degrees Celsius until use. To reconstitute a static model for TSCC seed one times 10 to the sixth single Cal-27 cells into a 3 1/2 centimeter culture dish. Add three milliliters of DMEM F12 medium containing 10%FBS into 90 micrograms per milliliter each of ampicillin and kanamycin.Incubate the cells at 37 degrees Celsius for two to three days to 60%confluency. Then load the TEM onto the cell monolayer in the culture dish. Incubate the dish at 37 degrees Celsius and 5%carbon dioxide for 28 days.Refresh the medium every day. Prepare a self-made stirred mini bioreactor by removing the plunger from a 10 milliliter syringe. Make a hole one centimeter in diameter near the lower terminal of the rod, and load a stir bar through the hole.Make another hole a half centimeter in diameter at the center of the bottle cap of a plastic wide mouth bottle, and put the piston rod through the cap. Then cut half of a 50 milliliter centrifuge tube and weld it on the outer side of the bottle cap. Attach fish hooks to the rod by wrapping the rod with fishing lines tied to the fishhooks.To prepare a dynamic cell culture, seed one times 10 to the sixth single Cal-27 cells in the mini bioreactor. Add 150 milliliters of DF12 medium containing 10%FBS, and 90 micrograms per milliliter each of ampicillin and kanamycin. Using the fishhooks attached to the rod, load the TEM onto the mini bioreactor, then tighten the bottle cap.Place the mini bioreactor on a magnetic stirrer in a carbon dioxide incubator at 37 degrees Celsius. Active the mini bioreactor at 200 RPM for seven to 14 days. H and E staining confirmed that the protocol demonstrated in this video produced TEM with perfect decellularization compared to native tongue tissues with complete disappearance of nuclear staining, and only rare damage to the tissue integrity, while eliminating the cellular components.In this figure, H and E staining reveals that 3-D reconstitution of TSCC using TEM and a self-made mini bioreactor produced typical TSCC pathological characteristics. The cells in stirred culture conditions demonstrated single-cell migration or collective migration in different lesion areas. In static culture conditions, Cal-27 cells also formed invasive structures in the TEM, however it took longer.Though U2OS cells could live in the culture medium, they were not found in the TEM, indicating that the TEM is biocompatible with certain types of cancer cells, and that different tumor cells need different microenvironments to flourish. While attempting this procedure it's important to remember to operate under sterile conditions. After it's development this technique paved the way for the researchers in field of oral cancer to explore characteristics of TSCC cells in extracellular matrix samples.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to prepare the cellularized tongue extracellular matrix and fabricate an in-vitro model of TSCC.

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6.1K vistas.  Sun Yat-sen University. This method can help answer key questions in oral cancer research field, such as how to build an appropriate T-assist model in-vitro. The main advantage of this technique is that reconstructed TSCC express tumor characteristics that bear a strong resemblance to clinical TSCC histopathology. When first had the idea for this method when we realized that 2-D cultured TSCC cells did not properly exhibit the native phenotype of TSCC.Furthermore, we realized the importance of extracellular m...