This research was supported in part by the NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program, part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, through grant number 1-DP2-OD004309-01. S.B.S-N. would like to thank the NSF for a Graduate Research Fellowship.

1. Pre-processing Tissue Preparation
<ol class="lalpha">
<li>	Before using this protocol, one must have already decellularized the tissue of choice. For this example, fresh porcine and human pericardium samples are decellularized using hypotonic and hypertonic rinses in deionized (DI) water and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).</li>
<li>	Specifically, first wash the porcine pericardium in DI water for 30 minutes, then stir continuously in 1% SDS in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 24 hours, followed by a 5 hour DI w...

<ol>
	<li>Seif-Naraghi, S. B., Salvatore, M. A., Magoffin-Schup, P. J., Hu, D. P., Christman, K. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+characterization+of+an+injectable+pericardial+matrix+gel:+A+potentially+autologous+scaffold+for+cardiac+tissue+engineering.">Design and characterization of an injectable pericardial matrix gel: A potentially autologous scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering.</a> Tissue Engineering. , (2009).</li><li>Freytes, D. O., Martin, J., Velankar, S. S., Lee, A. S., Badylak, S. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+and+rheological+characterization+of+a+gel+form+of+the+porcine+urinary+bladder+matrix.">Preparation and rheological characterization of a gel form of the porcine urinary bladder matrix.</a> Biomaterials. 29, 1630-1630 (2008).</li><li>Gilbert, T. W., Sellaro, T. L., Badylak, S. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decellularization+of+tissues+and+organs.">Decellularization of tissues and organs.</a> Biomaterials. 27, 3675-3675 (2006).</li><li>Liao, J., Joyce, E. M., Sacks, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+decellularization+on+the+mechanical+and+structural+properties+of+the+porcine+aortic+valve+leaflet.">Effects of decellularization on the mechanical and structural properties of the porcine aortic valve leaflet.</a> Biomaterials. 29, 1065-1065 (2008).</li><li>Singelyn, J. M., DeQuach, J. A., Seif-Naraghi, S. B., Littlefield, R. B., Schup-Magoffin, P. J., Christman, K. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Naturally+derived+myocardial+matrix+as+an+injectable+scaffold+for+cardiac+tissue+engineering.">Naturally derived myocardial matrix as an injectable scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering.</a> Biomaterials. 30, 5409-5409 (2009).</li><li>Christman, K. L., Vardanian, A. J., Fang, Q., Sievers, R. E., Fok, H. H., Lee, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Injectable+fibrin+scaffold+improves+cell+transplant+survival,+reduces+infarct+expansion,+and+induces+neovasculature+formation+in+ischemic+myocardium.">Injectable fibrin scaffold improves cell transplant survival, reduces infarct expansion, and induces neovasculature formation in ischemic myocardium.</a> J Am Coll Cardiol. 44, 654-654 (2004).</li><li>Christman, K. L., Fok, H. H., Sievers, R. E., Fang, Q., Lee, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibrin+glue+alone+and+skeletal+myoblasts+in+a+fibrin+scaffold+preserve+cardiac+function+after+myocardial+infarction.">Fibrin glue alone and skeletal myoblasts in a fibrin scaffold preserve cardiac function after myocardial infarction.</a> Tissue Eng. 10, 403-410 (2004).</li><li>Huang, N. F., Sievers, R. E., Park, J. S., Fang, Q., Li, S., Lee, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+rodent+model+of+myocardial+infarction+for+testing+the+efficacy+of+cells+and+polymers+for+myocardial+reconstruction.">A rodent model of myocardial infarction for testing the efficacy of cells and polymers for myocardial reconstruction.</a> Nat Protoc. (1), 1596-1609 (2006).</li><li>Ott, H. C., Matthiesen, T. S., Goh, S. K., Black, L. D., Kren, S. M., Netoff, T. I. <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>Badylak, S. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+extracellular+matrix+as+a+biologic+scaffold+material.">The extracellular matrix as a biologic scaffold material.</a> Biomaterials. 28, 3587-3593 (2007).</li></ol>

Animal Use: All experiments in this study were performed in accordance with the guidelines published by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of California, San Diego and the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.

This method allows for the generation of biologically derived, injectable scaffolds for myocardial tissue engineering. Although these methods were initially developed for the fabrication and in vivo testing of a myocardial matrix gel and presented here with a pericardial matrix gel, this protocol can be adapted for use with any tissue, provided the tissue can be appropriately decellularized. Decellularization should be performed and verified prior to the use of these methods, as the presence of DNA in the matr...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Reagents:</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Pepsin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>p6887-1G</td>
<td>Lyophilized </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Biotin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
<td>21217</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Neutravidin-HRP</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thomas Scientific</td>
<td>21130</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Equipment: </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Wiley Mini Mill</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thomas Scientific</td>
<td>3383L10</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Labconco Lyophilizer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Labconco, Inc</td>
<td>7670520</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Surgical supplies:</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Betadine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Purdue Products, L.P.</td>
<td>67618-154-16</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Lactated Ringers Solution</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>003966</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>KY Jelly</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>28658</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Lidocaine, 2%</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>17767</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Buprenorphine hydrochloride</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd.</td>
<td>12496-0757-1</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Artificial tear ointment</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher </td>
<td>NC9860843</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Triple antibiotic ointment</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher</td>
<td>19082795</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Isoflurane</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>60307-120-25</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Otoscope </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>008699</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Stop cock</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>006245</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>3-0 Vicrile suture</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>J327H</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>5-0 Proline suture</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>s-1173</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Reverse cutting (RC) needle</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ethicon</td>
<td>8684G</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Microhemostats </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>13013-14</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Rat tooth microforceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>11084-07</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>No. 10 scalpel</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>10110-01</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Blunt scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>14108-09</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sharp, curved scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>14085-08</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Large, serrated forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>1106-12</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PE160 suction tubing</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD</td>
<td>427430 </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Clippers </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MWI</td>
<td>21608</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Skin staples/stapler </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ethicon</td>
<td>PRR35</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>General supplies:</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Stir plates</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>0.1 M HCl</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>1 M NaOH</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>10x PBS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>1x PBS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>70% Ethanol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>0.1 mL syringes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>10 mL syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Q-tips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Surgical glue</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Surgical drape</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Towel clamps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Small hand-held vacuum </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

fabrication of biologically derived injectable materials for myocardial tissue engineering

This protocol provides methods for the preparation of an injectable extracellular matrix (ECM) gel for myocardial tissue engineering applications. Briefly, decellularized tissue is lyophilized, milled, enzymatically digested, and then brought to physiological pH. The lyophilization removes all water content from the tissue, resulting in dry ECM that can be ground into a fine powder with a small mill. After milling, the ECM powder is digested with pepsin to form an injectable matrix. After adjustment to pH 7.4, the liquid matrix material can be injected into the myocardium. Results of previous characterization assays have shown that matrix gels produced from decellularized pericardial and myocardial tissue retain native ECM components, including diverse proteins, peptides and glycosaminoglycans. Given the use of this material for tissue engineering, in vivo characterization is especially useful; here, a method for performing an intramural injection into the left ventricular (LV) free wall is presented as a means of analyzing the host response to the matrix gel in a small animal model. Access to the chest cavity is gained through the diaphragm and the injection is made slightly above the apex in the LV free wall. The biologically derived scaffold can be visualized by biotin-labeling before injection and then staining tissue sections with a horse radish peroxidase-conjugated neutravidin and visualizing via diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining. Analysis of the injection region can also be done with histological and immunohistochemical staining. In this way, the previously examined pericardial and myocardial matrix gels were shown to form fibrous, porous networks and promote vessel formation within the injection region.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fabrication of Biologically Derived Injectable Materials for Myocardial Tissue Engineering at JoVE.com

Fabrication of Biologically Derived Injectable Materials for Myocardial Tissue Engineering

Methods for preparing an injectable matrix gel from decellularized tissue and injecting it into rat myocardium in vivo are described.

This protocol provides methods for the preparation of an injectable extracellular matrix (ECM) gel for myocardial tissue engineering applications.  ...

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14.9K Views.  University of California, San Diego. Methods for preparing an injectable matrix gel from decellularized tissue and injecting it into rat myocardium in vivo are described.