Name: Dissection and Isolation of Region-Specific Decellularized Lung Tissue (Video) | JoVE
Uploaded: 2023-09-29T14:50:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissection and Isolation of Region-Specific Decellularized Lung Tissue at JoVE.com

The authors thank the UVM autopsy services for human lung procurement and Robert Pouliot PhD for contributions to the overall dissection techniques. These studies were supported by R01 HL127144-01 (DJW).

All animal studies have been performed in accordance with the IACUC of University of Vermont (UVM). All human lungs were acquired from UVM Autopsy Services and related studies were performed as per the guidelines of IRB of UVM.
NOTE: Decellularization of pig and human lungs has been previously described by our group7,8,9,10, 21. In ...

Regional Decellularized Lung Tissue Isolation to Study Cell-Cell and Cell-ECM Interactions

<ol>
	<li>L&#243;pez-Campos, J. L., Tan, W., Soriano, J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Global+burden+of+COPD.">Global burden of COPD.</a> Respirology. 21 (1), 14-23 (2016).</li><li>Raherison, C., Girodet, P. -. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epidemiology+of+COPD.">Epidemiology of COPD.</a> European Respiratory Review. 18 (114), 213-221 (2009).</li><li>Glass, D. S., 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=Idiopathic+pulmonary+fibrosis:+Current+and+future+treatment.">Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Current and future treatment.</a> The Clinical Respiratory Journal. 16 (2), 84-96 (2022).</li><li>Dickinson, K. M., Collaco, 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=Cystic+Fibrosis.">Cystic Fibrosis.</a> Pediatrics in Review. 42 (2), 55-67 (2021).</li><li>DeFreitas, M. R., McAdams, H. P., Azfar Ali, H., Iranmanesh, A. M., Chalian, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complications+of+lung+transplantation:+update+on+imaging+manifestations+and+management.">Complications of lung transplantation: update on imaging manifestations and management.</a> Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging. 3 (4), e190252 (2021).</li><li>Young, K. A., Dilling, D. 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+future+of+lung+transplantation.">The future of lung transplantation.</a> Chest. 155 (3), 465-473 (2019).</li><li>Wagner, D. E., 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+decellularization+and+recellularization+of+normal+versus+emphysematous+human+lungs.">Comparative decellularization and recellularization of normal versus emphysematous human lungs.</a> Biomaterials. 35 (10), 3281-3297 (2014).</li><li>Booth, A. J., 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=Acellular+normal+and+fibrotic+human+lung+matrices+as+a+culture+system+for+in+vitro+investigation.">Acellular normal and fibrotic human lung matrices as a culture system for in vitro investigation.</a> American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 186 (9), 866-876 (2012).</li><li>Uhl, F. E., Wagner, D. E., Weiss, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+decellularized+lung+matrices+for+cell+culture+and+protein+analysis.">Preparation of decellularized lung matrices for cell culture and protein analysis.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 1627, 253-283 (2017).</li><li>Wagner, D. E., 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=Three-dimensional+scaffolds+of+acellular+human+and+porcine+lungs+for+high+throughput+studies+of+lung+disease+and+regeneration.">Three-dimensional scaffolds of acellular human and porcine lungs for high throughput studies of lung disease and regeneration.</a> Biomaterials. 35 (9), 2664-2679 (2014).</li><li>Uhl, F. E., 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=Functional+role+of+glycosaminoglycans+in+decellularized+lung+extracellular+matrix.">Functional role of glycosaminoglycans in decellularized lung extracellular matrix.</a> Acta Biomaterialia. 102, 231-246 (2020).</li><li>Saldin, L. T., Cramer, M. C., Velankar, S. S., White, L. J., 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=Extracellular+matrix+hydrogels+from+decellularized+tissues:+structure+and+function.">Extracellular matrix hydrogels from decellularized tissues: structure and function.</a> Acta Biomaterialia. 49, 1-15 (2017).</li><li>Giobbe, G. G., 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=Extracellular+matrix+hydrogel+derived+from+decellularized+tissues+enables+endodermal+organoid+culture.">Extracellular matrix hydrogel derived from decellularized tissues enables endodermal organoid culture.</a> Nature Communications. 10 (1), 5658 (2019).</li><li>Petrou, C. L., 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=Clickable+decellularized+extracellular+matrix+as+a+new+tool+for+building+hybrid-hydrogels+to+model+chronic+fibrotic+diseases+in+vitro.">Clickable decellularized extracellular matrix as a new tool for building hybrid-hydrogels to model chronic fibrotic diseases in vitro.</a> Journal of Materials Chemistry. B. 8 (31), 6814-6826 (2020).</li><li>Nizamoglu, 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=An+in+vitro+model+of+fibrosis+using+crosslinked+native+extracellular+matrix-derived+hydrogels+to+modulate+biomechanics+without+changing+composition.">An in vitro model of fibrosis using crosslinked native extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels to modulate biomechanics without changing composition.</a> Acta Biomaterialia. 147, 50-62 (2022).</li><li>Marhuenda, E., 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=Lung+extracellular+matrix+hydrogels+enhance+preservation+of+type+ii+phenotype+in+primary+alveolar+epithelial+cells.">Lung extracellular matrix hydrogels enhance preservation of type ii phenotype in primary alveolar epithelial cells.</a> International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23 (9), 4888 (2022).</li><li>Zhou, J., 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=Lung+tissue+extracellular+matrix-derived+hydrogels+protect+against+radiation-induced+lung+injury+by+suppressing+epithelial-mesenchymal+transition.">Lung tissue extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels protect against radiation-induced lung injury by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.</a> Journal of Cellular Physiology. 235 (3), 2377-2388 (2020).</li><li>Pouliot, R. 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=Development+and+characterization+of+a+naturally+derived+lung+extracellular+matrix+hydrogel.">Development and characterization of a naturally derived lung extracellular matrix hydrogel.</a> Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A. 104 (8), 1922-1935 (2016).</li><li>Pouliot, R. 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=Porcine+lung-derived+extracellular+matrix+hydrogel+properties+are+dependent+on+pepsin+digestion+time.">Porcine lung-derived extracellular matrix hydrogel properties are dependent on pepsin digestion time.</a> Tissue Engineering. Part C, Methods. 26 (6), 332-346 (2020).</li><li>de Hilster, R. H. J., 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=Human+lung+extracellular+matrix+hydrogels+resemble+the+stiffness+and+viscoelasticity+of+native+lung+tissue.">Human lung extracellular matrix hydrogels resemble the stiffness and viscoelasticity of native lung tissue.</a> American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 318 (4), L698-L704 (2020).</li><li>Hoffman, E. T., 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=Regional+and+disease+specific+human+lung+extracellular+matrix+composition.">Regional and disease specific human lung extracellular matrix composition.</a> Biomaterials. 293, 121960 (2023).</li><li>Sicard, D., 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=Aging+and+anatomical+variations+in+lung+tissue+stiffness.">Aging and anatomical variations in lung tissue stiffness.</a> American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 314 (6), L946-L955 (2018).</li></ol>

Decellularized tissues from humans and other species are frequently utilized as biomaterials for studying ECM composition as well as cell-ECM interactions in ex vivo culture models, including 3D hydrogels12,13. Similar to other organs, decellularized lungs have previously been utilized to determine ECM compositional differences in healthy versus diseased (i.e., emphysematous and IPF) lungs and are increasingly being utilized as hydrogels for studying ECM...

Lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and cystic fibrosis (CF), currently remain without a cure1,2,3,4. Lung transplantation is often the only option for patients in later stages, however this remains a limited option both due to the supply of suitable donor lungs and both acute and chronic rejection after transplantation3,5,6. As such, there is a critical need for new treatment strategies. One promising approach in respiratory bioengineering is the application of tissue-derived scaffolds prepared from decellularized native lung tissue. As acellular whole lung scaffolds retain much of the complexity of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and bioactivity, they have been intensively studied for whole-organ engineering and as improved models for studying lung disease mechanisms7,8,9,10. In parallel, there is increasing interest in utilizing decellularized tissues from different organs, including lungs, as hydrogels and other substrates for studying cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions in organoid and other tissue culture models11,12,13,14,15,16,17. These provide more relevant models than commercially available substrates, such as Matrigel, derived from tumor sources. However, information on human lung-derived hydrogels is relatively limited at present. We have previously described hydrogels derived from decellularized pig lungs and have characterized both their mechanical and material properties, as well as demonstrated their utility as cell culture models18,19.&#160;A recent report detailed the initial mechanical and viscoelastic characterization of hydrogels derived from decellularized normal and diseased (COPD, IPF) human lungs20. We have also presented initial data characterizing the glycosaminoglycan content of decellularized normal and COPD human lungs, as well as their applicability for studying cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions11.
These examples illustrate the power of utilizing decellularized human lung ECMs for investigative purposes. However, the lung is a complex organ, and both the structure and function vary in different regions of the lung, including ECM composition and other properties such as stiffness21,22. As such, it is of interest to study the ECM in individual regions of the lung, including the trachea and large airways, medium-sized and small airways, and alveoli, as well as large, medium-sized, and small blood vessels. To this end, we have developed a reliable and reproducible method for dissecting decellularized human and pig lungs and subsequently isolating each of those anatomic regions. This has allowed detailed differential analysis of regional protein content in both normal and diseased lungs21.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Bonn Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14184-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5 - Fine Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11254-02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps, Curved, S/S, Blunt, Serrated - 130mm</td>
			<td>CellPath</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hardened Fine Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14090-11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Moria Iris Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11373-22</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pyrex Glass Casserole Dish</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>3175-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

dissection and isolation of region-specific decellularized lung tissue

Lung transplantation is often the only option for patients in the later stages of severe lung disease, but this is limited both due to the supply of suitable donor lungs and both acute and chronic rejection after transplantation. Ascertaining novel bioengineering approaches for the replacement of diseased lungs is imperative for improving patient survival and avoiding complications associated with current transplantation methodologies. An alternative approach involves the use of decellularized whole lungs lacking cellular constituents that are typically the cause of acute and chronic rejection. Since the lung is such a complex organ, it is of interest to examine the extracellular matrix components of specific regions, including the vasculature, airways, and alveolar tissue. The purpose of this approach is to establish simple and reproducible methods by which researchers may dissect and isolate region-specific tissue from fully decellularized lungs. The current protocol has been devised for pig and human lungs, but may be applied to other species as well. For this protocol, four regions of the tissue were specified: airway, vasculature, alveoli, and bulk lung tissue. This procedure allows for the procurement of samples of tissue that more accurately represent the contents of the decellularized lung tissue as opposed to traditional bulk analysis methods.

Dissection and Isolation of Region-Specific Decellularized Lung Tissue

An overall schematic of the protocol is depicted in Figure 1. Once mastered, the regional dissection of decellularized lung tissue is easily reproducible. Determining the categorization of each severed tissue sample is imperative to the success of the dissection procedure. Vascular tissue is substantially more elastic than airway, so using forceps to stretch the tissue is often a strong indicator of whether a particular sample is vasculature or airway. Typically, vascular tissue runs paralle...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissection and Isolation of Region-Specific Decellularized Lung Tissue at JoVE.com

Dissection and Isolation of Region-Specific Decellularized Lung Tissue (Video) | JoVE 

Presented here is a protocol for the isolation of regional decellularized lung tissue. This protocol provides a powerful tool for studying complexities in the extracellular matrix and cell-matrix interactions.

Lung transplantation is often the only option for patients in the later stages of severe lung disease, but this is limited both due to the supply of ...