Procurement and Perfusion-Decellularization of Porcine Vascularized Flaps in a Customized Perfusion Bioreactor

Summary

The protocol describes the surgical procurement and subsequent decellularization of vascularized porcine flaps by the perfusion of sodium dodecyl sulfate detergent through the flap vasculature in a customized perfusion bioreactor.

Abstract

Large volume soft tissue defects lead to functional deficits and can greatly impact the patient's quality of life. Although surgical reconstruction can be performed using autologous free flap transfer or vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), such methods also have disadvantages. Issues such as donor site morbidity and tissue availability limit autologous free flap transfer, while immunosuppression is a significant limitation of VCA. Engineered tissues in reconstructive surgery using decellularization/recellularization methods represent a possible solution. Decellularized tissues are generated using methods that remove native cellular material while preserving the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) microarchitecture. These acellular scaffolds can then be subsequently recellularized with recipient-specific cells.

This protocol details the procurement and decellularization methods used to achieve acellular scaffolds in a pig model. In addition, it also provides a description of the perfusion bioreactor design and setup. The flaps include the porcine omentum, tensor fascia lata, and the radial forearm. Decellularization is performed via ex vivo perfusion of low concentration sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) detergent followed by DNase enzyme treatment and peracetic acid sterilization in a customized perfusion bioreactor.

Successful tissue decellularization is characterized by a white-opaque appearance of flaps macroscopically. Acellular flaps show the absence of nuclei on histological staining and a significant reduction in DNA content. This protocol can be used efficiently to generate decellularized soft tissue scaffolds with preserved ECM and vascular microarchitecture. Such scaffolds can be used in subsequent recellularization studies and have the potential for clinical translation in reconstructive surgery.

Introduction

Traumatic injury and tumor removal can lead to large and complex soft tissue defects. These defects can impair patient quality of life, cause loss of function, and result in permanent disability. While techniques such as autologous tissue flap transfer have been commonly practiced, issues with flap availability and donor site morbidity are major limitations^1,2,3. Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is a promising alternative that transfers composite tissues, e.g., muscle, skin, vasculature, as a single unit to recipients. However, VCA requires long-term immunosup....

Protocol

All procedures involving animal subjects have been approved by the University Health Network Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and are performed in accordance with University Health Network Animal Resource Centre protocol and procedures and Canadian Council on Animal Care Guidelines. Five Yorkshire pigs (35-50 kg; age approximately 12 weeks old) were used for all experiments.

1. Perfusion bioreactor fabrication

1. See Figure 1 for all t.......

Discussion

The proposed protocol uses the perfusion of low concentration SDS to decellularize a range of porcine-derived flaps. With this procedure, acellular omentum, tensor fascia lata, and radial forearm flaps can be successfully decellularized using a protocol that favors low concentration SDS. Preliminary optimization experiments have determined that SDS at a low concentration (0.05%) between 2 days to 5 days is capable of removing cellular material for the omentum, tensor fascia lata, and radial forearm flap when analyzed wit.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.2 µm pore Acrodisk Filter	VWR	CA28143-310
0.9 % Sodium Chloride Solution (Normal Saline)	Baxter	JF7123
20 L Polypropylene Carboy	Cole-Parmer	RK-62507-20
3-0 Sofsilk Nonabsorbable Surgical Tie	Covidien	LS639
3-way Stopcock	Cole-Parmer	UZ-30600-04
Adson Forceps	Fine Science Tools	11027-12
Antibiotic-Antimycotic Solution, 100X	Wisent	450-115-EL
Atropine Sulphate 15 mg/30ml	Rafter 8 Products	238481
BD Angiocath 20-Gauge	VWR	BD381134
BD Angiocath 22-Gauge	VWR	BD381123
BD Angiocath 24-Gauge	VWR	BD381112
Calcium Chloride	Sigma-Aldrich	C4901	DNAse Co-factor
DNase I from bovine pancreas	Sigma-Aldrich	DN25
DNA assay (Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA Assay Kit)	Invitrogen	P7589
DPBS, 10X	Wisent	311-415-CL	without Ca++/Mg++
Halsted-Mosquito Hemostat	Fine Science Tools	13008-12
Heparin, 1000 I.U./mL	Leo Pharma A/S	453811
Ketamine Hydrochloride  5000 mg/50 ml	Bimeda-MTC Animal Health Inc.	612316
Ismatec Pump Tygon 3-Stop Tubing	Cole-Parmer	RK-96450-40	Internal Diameter:  1.85 mm
Ismatec REGLO 4-Channel Pump	Cole-Parmer	78001-78
Ismatec Tubing Cassettes	Cole-Parmer	RK-78016-98
Isoflurane 99.9%, 250 ml	Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc.	2231929
LB Agar Lennox	Bioshop Canada	LBL406.500	Sterility testing agar plates
Magnesium Sulfate	Sigma-Aldrich	M7506	DNAse Co-factor
Masterflex L/S 16 Tubing	Cole-Parmer	RK-96410-16
Midazolam 50 mg/10 ml	Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc.	2242905
Monopolar Cautery Pencil	Valleylab	E2100
Normal Buffered Formalin, 10%	Sigma-Aldrich	HT501128
N°11 scalpel blade	Swann Morton	303
Papain from papaya latex	Sigma-Aldrich	P3125
Peracetic Acid	Sigma-Aldrich	269336
Plastic Barbed Connector for 1/4" to 1/8" Tube ID	McMaster-Carr	5117K61
Plastic Barbed Tube 90° Elbow Connectors	McMaster-Carr	5117K76
Plastic Quick-Turn Tube Plugs	McMaster-Carr	51525K143	Male Luer
Plastic Quick-Turn Tube Sockets	McMaster-Carr	51525K293	Female Luer
Punch Biopsy Tool	Integra Miltex	3332
Potassium Chloride 40 mEq/20 ml	Hospira Healthcare Corporation	37869
Povidone-Iodine, 10%	Rougier	833133
Serological Pipet, 2mL	Fisher Science	13-678-27D
Snap Lid Airtight Containers	SnapLock	142-3941-4
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Powder	Sigma-Aldrich	L4509
Surgical Metal Ligation Clips, Small	Teleflex	001200
Stevens Tenotomy Scissors, 115 mm, straight	B. Braun	BC004R
TruWave Pressure Monitoring Set	Edwards Lifesciences	PX260