Objectives To produce whole-lung extracellular matrix(ECM) scaffold in rats by perfusion and to assess the feasibility of ECM as the cytoskeleton and tissue-engineered organ construction. Methods Lungs were harvested from twenty 12-week-old Wistar rats.Lungs were explanted,cannulated with an 18G cannula,and perfused (constant pressure,40cmH2O) through the pulmonary artery on Langendorff system with heparinized phosphate-buffered saline (PBS),1% sodium deoxycholate in deionized water (90min) and RNase & DNase away (30min).HE staining was performed to confirm the removal of cells and Von Gieson staining wasperformed to show the integrity of collagen and elastin.Results After the decellularization process,rat lung scaffolds showed white color and looked semitransparent.The cells were removed effectively from lung tissue,while the collagen and elastin were kept intact structure in the scaffolds.Conclusions Perfusion technic is simple and effective to produce rat whole-lung ECM, and 1% sodium deoxycholate solution can better remove rat lung cells.
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