TY - JOUR A1 - Simsa, Robin A1 - Padma, Arvind A1 - Heher, Philipp A1 - Hellström, Mats A1 - Teuschl, Andreas A1 - Jenndahl, Lachmi A1 - Bergh, Niklas A1 - Fogelstrand, Per T1 - Systematic in vitro comparison of decellularization protocols for blood vessels. JF - PLoS One KW - Tissue Engineering KW - Decellularization KW - Blood Vessel Y1 - ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Karl Heinrich A1 - Enayati, Marjan A1 - Grasl, Christian A1 - Walter, Ingrid A1 - Budinsky, Lubos A1 - Zebic, Gabriel A1 - Kaun, Christoph A1 - Wagner, Anja A1 - Kratochwill, Klaus A1 - Redl, Heinz A1 - Teuschl, Andreas A1 - Podesser, Bruno K. A1 - Bergmeister, Helga T1 - Acellular vascular matrix grafts from human placenta chorion: Impact of ECM preservation on graft characteristics, protein composition and in vivo performance. JF - Biomaterials N2 - Small diameter vascular grafts from human placenta, decellularized with either Triton X-100 (Triton) or SDS and crosslinked with heparin were constructed and characterized. Graft biochemical properties, residual DNA, and protein composition were evaluated to compare the effect of the two detergents on graft matrix composition and structural alterations. Biocompatibility was tested in vitro by culturing the grafts with primary human macrophages and in vivo by subcutaneous implantation of graft conduits (n = 7 per group) into the flanks of nude rats. Subsequently, graft performance was evaluated using an aortic implantation model in Sprague Dawley rats (one month, n = 14). In situ graft imaging was performed using MRI angiography. Retrieved specimens were analyzed by electromyography, scanning electron microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry to evaluate cell migration and the degree of functional tissue remodeling. Both decellularization methods resulted in grafts of excellent biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, with low immunogenic potential. Proteomic data revealed removal of cytoplasmic proteins with relative enrichment of ECM proteins in decelluarized specimens of both groups. Noteworthy, LC-Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed that 16 proteins were exclusively preserved in Triton decellularized specimens in comparison to SDS-treated specimens. Aortic grafts showed high patency rates, no signs of thrombus formation, aneurysms or rupture. Conduits of both groups revealed tissue-specific cell migration indicative of functional remodeling. This study strongly suggests that decellularized allogenic grafts from the human placenta have the potential to be used as vascular replacement materials. Both detergents produced grafts with low residual immunogenicity and appropriate mechanical properties. Observed differences in graft characteristics due to preservation method had no impact on successful in vivo performance in the rodent model. KW - Biomaterial KW - Tissue Engineering Y1 - SP - 14 EP - 26 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Teuschl, Andreas A1 - Holnthoner, Wolfgang A1 - Monforte, Xavier T1 - Repopulation of an auricular cartilage scaffold, AuriScaff, perforated with an enzyme combination JF - Acta Biomater. N2 - Biomaterials currently in use for articular cartilage regeneration do not mimic the composition or architecture of hyaline cartilage, leading to the formation of repair tissue with inferior characteristics. In this study we demonstrate the use of "AuriScaff", an enzymatically perforated bovine auricular cartilage scaffold, as a novel biomaterial for repopulation with regenerative cells and for the formation of high-quality hyaline cartilage. AuriScaff features a traversing channel network, generated by selective depletion of elastic fibers, enabling uniform repopulation with therapeutic cells. The complex collagen type II matrix is left intact, as observed by immunohistochemistry, SEM and TEM. The compressive modulus is diminished, but three times higher than in the clinically used collagen type I/III scaffold that served as control. Seeding tests with human articular chondrocytes (hAC) alone and in co-culture with human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) confirmed that the network enabled cell migration throughout the scaffold. It also guides collagen alignment along the channels and, due to the generally traverse channel alignment, newly deposited cartilage matrix corresponds with the orientation of collagen within articular cartilage. In an osteochondral plug model, AuriScaff filled the complete defect with compact collagen type II matrix and enabled chondrogenic differentiation inside the channels. Using adult articular chondrocytes from bovine origin (bAC), filling of even deep defects with high-quality hyaline-like cartilage was achieved after 6 weeks in vivo. With its composition and spatial organization, AuriScaff provides an optimal chondrogenic environment for therapeutic cells to treat cartilage defects and is expected to improve long-term outcome by channel-guided repopulation followed by matrix deposition and alignment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: After two decades of tissue engineering for cartilage regeneration, there is still no optimal strategy available to overcome problems such as inconsistent clinical outcome, early and late graft failures. Especially large defects are dependent on biomaterials and their scaffolding, guiding and protective function. Considering the currently used biomaterials, structure and mechanical properties appear to be insufficient to fulfill this task. The novel scaffold developed within this study is the first approach enabling the use of dense cartilage matrix, repopulate it via channels and provide the cells with a compact collagen type II environment. Due to its density, it also provides better mechanical properties than materials currently used in clinics. We therefore think, that the auricular cartilage scaffold (AuriScaff) has a high potential to improve future cartilage regeneration approaches. KW - Auricular cartilage KW - Cartilage Regeneration KW - Human adipose derived stromal/stem cells KW - Tissue Engineering KW - Decellularization Y1 - 2020 VL - 2019 IS - Mar/86 SP - 207 EP - 222 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Karl A1 - Rohringer, Sabrina A1 - Kapeller, Barbara A1 - Grasl, Christian A1 - Kiss, Herbert A1 - Heber, Stefan A1 - Walter, Ingrid A1 - Teuschl, Andreas A1 - Podesser, Bruno K. A1 - Bergmeister, Helga T1 - Riboflavin-mediated photooxidation to improve the characteristics of decellularized human arterial small diameter vascular grafts JF - Acta Biomater. N2 - Vascular grafts with a diameter of less than 6 mm are made from a variety of materials and techniques to provide alternatives to autologous vascular grafts. Decellularized materials have been proposed as a possible approach to create extracellular matrix (ECM) vascular prostheses as they are naturally derived and inherently support various cell functions. However, these desirable graft characteristics may be limited by alterations of the ECM during the decellularization process leading to decreased biomechanical properties and hemocompatibility. In this study, arteries from the human placenta chorion were decellularized using two distinct detergents (Triton X-100 or SDS), which differently affect ECM ultrastructure. To overcome biomechanical strength loss and collagen fiber exposure after decellularization, riboflavin-mediated UV (RUV) crosslinking was used to uniformly crosslink the collagenous ECM of the grafts. Graft characteristics and biocompatibility with and without RUV crosslinking were studied in vitro and in vivo. RUV-crosslinked ECM grafts showed significantly improved mechanical strength and smoothening of the luminal graft surfaces. Cell seeding using human endothelial cells revealed no cytotoxic effects of the RUV treatment. Short-term aortic implants in rats showed cell migration and differentiation of host cells. Functional graft remodeling was evident in all grafts. Thus, RUV crosslinking is a preferable tool to improve graft characteristics of decellularized matrix conduits. KW - Tissue Engineering KW - Biomaterials KW - Vascularization Y1 - 2021 VL - 2020 IS - 116 SP - 246 EP - 258 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nürnberger, Sylvia A1 - Schneider, Cornelia A1 - van Osch, Gerjo A1 - Keibl, Claudia A1 - Rieder, Bernhard A1 - Monforte, Xavier A1 - Teuschl, Andreas A1 - Mühleder, Severin A1 - Holnthoner, Wolfgang A1 - Schädl, Barbara A1 - Gahleitner, Christoph A1 - Redl, Heinz A1 - Wolbank, Susanne T1 - Repopulation of an auricular cartilage scaffold, AuriScaff, perforated with an enzyme combination. JF - Acta Biomaterialia KW - Tissue Engineering KW - Decellularization KW - Cartilage Y1 - ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Karl H. A1 - Rohringer, Sabrina A1 - Kapeller, Barbara A1 - Grasl, Christian A1 - Kiss, Herbert A1 - Heber, Stefan A1 - Walter, Ingrid A1 - Teuschl, Andreas H. A1 - Podesser, Bruno K. A1 - Bergmeister, Helga T1 - Riboflavin-mediated photooxidation to improve the characteristics of decellularized human arterial small diameter vascular grafts JF - Acta Biomaterialia N2 - Vascular grafts with a diameter of less than 6 mm are made from a variety of materials and techniques to provide alternatives to autologous vascular grafts. Decellularized materials have been proposed as a possible approach to create extracellular matrix (ECM) vascular prostheses as they are naturally derived and inherently support various cell functions. However, these desirable graft characteristics may be limited by alterations of the ECM during the decellularization process leading to decreased biomechanical properties and hemocompatibility. In this study, arteries from the human placenta chorion were decellularized using two distinct detergents (Triton X-100 or SDS), which differently affect ECM ultrastructure. To overcome biomechanical strength loss and collagen fiber exposure after decellularization, riboflavin-mediated UV (RUV) crosslinking was used to uniformly crosslink the collagenous ECM of the grafts. Graft characteristics and biocompatibility with and without RUV crosslinking were studied in vitro and in vivo. RUV-crosslinked ECM grafts showed significantly improved mechanical strength and smoothening of the luminal graft surfaces. Cell seeding using human endothelial cells revealed no cytotoxic effects of the RUV treatment. Short-term aortic implants in rats showed cell migration and differentiation of host cells. Functional graft remodeling was evident in all grafts. Thus, RUV crosslinking is a preferable tool to improve graft characteristics of decellularized matrix conduits. KW - Tissue Engineering KW - Small diameter vascular graft KW - Biomaterials KW - Decellularization KW - Surface modification Y1 - VL - 116 SP - 246 EP - 258 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Karl Heinrich A1 - Aigner, Petra A1 - Holnthoner, Wolfgang A1 - Monforte Vila, Xavier A1 - Nürnberger, Sylvia A1 - Rünzler, Dominik A1 - Redl, Heinz A1 - Teuschl, Andreas T1 - Decellularized human placenta chorion matrix as a favorable source of small-diameter vascular grafts JF - Acta Biomaterialia KW - Grafting KW - Tissue Engineering Y1 - 2018 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heimel, Patrick A1 - Swiadek, Nicole V. A1 - Slezak, Paul A1 - Kerbl, Markus A1 - Schneider, Cornelia A1 - Nürnberger, Sylvia A1 - Redl, Heinz A1 - Teuschl, Andreas A1 - Hercher, David T1 - Iodine-Enhanced Micro-CT Imaging of Soft Tissue on the Example of Peripheral Nerve Regeneration JF - Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging KW - µCT KW - Imaging KW - Tissue Engineering KW - Tissue Regeneration Y1 - ER -