Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2023 Feb;20(1):59-67. 10.1007/s13770-022-00511-y.

Vessel-Derived Decellularized Extracellular Matrices (VdECM): Novel Bio-Engineered Materials for the Wound Healing

• Lee CR
• Lee YJ
• Kwon BY
• Lee SJ
• Ryu YH
• Rhie JW
• Moon SH

• KMID: 2539232
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-022-00511-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is a non-cellular scaffold with various functions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Elastin is related to tissue elasticity and scarless wound healing, abundantly found in lung and blood vessel tissues. We studied the characteristics of blood vessel-derived dECM (VdECM) and its effect in wound healing.
METHODS
VdECM was prepared from porcine blood vessel tissue. Weight percentages of elastin of VdECM and atelocollagen were analyzed. Migratory potential of VdECM was tested by scratch assay. VdECM in hydrogel form was microscopically examined, tested for fibroblast proliferation, and examined for L/D staining. Cytokine array of various growth factors in adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ASC) media with VdECM was done. Animal wound model showed the wound healing effect of VdECM hydrogel in comparison to other topical agents.
RESULTS
VdECM contained 6.7 times more elastin than atelocollagen per unit weight. Microscopic view of 0.35% VdECM hydrogel showed consistent distribution. Compared to 3% atelocollagen, 0.35% VdECM showed superior results in fibroblast migration. Fluorescent microscopic findings of L/D assay had highest percentage of cell survival in 1% VdECM compared to atelocollagen. Growth factor expression was drastically amplified when VdECM was added to ASC media. In the animal study model, epithelialization rate in the VdECM group was higher than that of control, oxytetracycline, and epidermal growth factor ointments.
CONCLUSION
VdECM contains a high ratio of elastin to collagen and amplifies expressions of many growth factors. It promotes fibroblast migration, proliferation, and survival, and epithelialization comparable to other topical agents.

Keyword

Extracellular matrix; Decellularized extracellular matrix; Elastin; Wound healing