Layer Microdissection of Tricuspid Valve Leaflets for Biaxial Mechanical Characterization and Microstructural Quantification

Summary

This protocol describes the biaxial mechanical characterization, polarized spatial frequency domain imaging-based collagen quantification, and microdissection of tricuspid valve leaflets. The provided method elucidates how the leaflet layers contribute to the holistic leaflet behaviors.

Abstract

The tricuspid valve (TV) regulates the unidirectional flow of unoxygenated blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle. The TV consists of three leaflets, each with unique mechanical behaviors. These variations among the three TV leaflets can be further understood by examining their four anatomical layers, which are the atrialis (A), spongiosa (S), fibrosa (F), and ventricularis (V). While these layers are present in all three TV leaflets, there are differences in their thicknesses and microstructural constituents that further influence their respective mechanical behaviors.

This protocol includes four steps to elucidate the layer-specific differences: (i) characterize the mechanical and collagen fiber architectural behaviors of the intact TV leaflet, (ii) separate the composite layers (A/S and F/V) of the TV leaflet, (iii) carry out the same characterizations for the composite layers, and (iv) perform post-hoc histology assessment. This experimental framework uniquely allows the direct comparison of the intact TV tissue to each of its composite layers. As a result, detailed information regarding the microstructure and biomechanical function of the TV leaflets can be collected with this protocol. Such information can potentially be used to develop TV computational models that seek to provide guidance for the clinical treatment of TV disease.

Introduction

The TV is located between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. Throughout the cardiac cycle, the TV regulates the unidirectional blood flow via cyclic opening and closing of the TV anterior leaflet (TVAL), the TV posterior leaflet (TVPL), and the TV septal leaflet (TVSL). These leaflets are complex and have four distinct anatomical layers—the atrialis (A), the spongiosa (S), the fibrosa (F), and the ventricularis (V)—with unique microstructural constituents. The elastin fibers in the atrialis and ventricularis help restore the tissue to its undeformed geometry after mechanical loading¹. In contrast, the fibrosa contain....

Protocol

All methods described herein were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Oklahoma. Animal tissues were acquired from a USDA-approved slaughterhouse.

1. Biaxial mechanical characterization

1. Tissue preparation
   1. Retrieve a TV leaflet from the freezer, razor blades, a surgical pen, forceps, a pipette with deionized (DI) water, and a cutting mat. Thaw the TV leaflet using 2-3 drops of room-temperature DI water.
      .......

Discussion

Critical steps for the protocol include: (i) the layer microdissection, (ii) the tissue mounting, (iii) the fiducial marker placement, and (iv) the pSFDI setup. Appropriate layer microdissection is the most important and difficult aspect of the method described herein. Prior to launching an investigation utilizing this technique, the dissector(s) should have long-term practice with the microdissection technique and all three TV leaflets. The dissector should ensure the composite layer specimens are sufficiently large (&#.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10% Formalin Solution, Neutral Buffered	Sigma-Aldrich	HT501128-4L
Alconox Detergent	Alconox		cleaning compound
BioTester - Biaxial Tester	CellScale Biomaterials Testing		1.5 N Load Cell Capacity
Cutting Mat	Dahle	B0027RS8DU
Deionized Water	N/A
Fine-Tipped Tool	HTI INSTRUMENTS	NSPLS-12
Forceps - Curved	Scientific Labwares	16122
Forceps - Thick	Scientific Labwares	161001078
Forceps - Thin	Scientific Labwares	16127
LabJoy	CellScale Biomaterials Testing	Version 10.66
Laser Displacement Sensor	Keyence	IL-030
Liquid Cyanoacrylate Glue	Loctite	2436365
MATLAB	MathWorks	Version 2020a
Micro Scissors	HTI Instruments	CAS55C
Pipette	Belmaks	360758081051Y4
Polarized Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging Device	N/A		Made in-house using a digital light projector, linear polarizer, rotating polarizer mount, and charge-coupled device camera. See doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2019.11.028 (PMCID: PMC8101699) for more details.
Scalpel	THINKPRICE	TP-SCALPEL-3010
Single Edge Industrial Razor Blades (Surgical Carbon Steel)	VWR International	H3515541105024
Surgical Pen	LabAider	LAB-Skin-6
T-Pins	Business Source	BSN32351
Wax Board	N/A		Made in-house using modeling wax and baking tray
Weigh Boat	Pure Ponta	mdo-azoc-1030