Decellularization of the human donor aortic conduit by a new hybrid treatment in a multicomponent system with supercritical CO2 and Tween 80

Decellularization of biotissues reduces immunogenicity, promotes cell repopulation, and improves the functional parameters of biotissues, in particular reducing calcification. However, it is important to understand the impact of decellularization technologies on the characteristics of donor allografts in comparison with the functional characteristics of conventional cryopreserved implants. In this work, we tested and applied a new hybrid method of decellularization of donor human aorta in a multicomponent system with supercritical carbon dioxide and Tween 80. We compared the histological sections, structure, and mechanical strength properties of the hybrid decellurized aorta with those of the conventional cryopreserved and chemically treated donor aorta. We found that it is possible to completely remove cells and cellular components, preserve the histoarchitecture of the tissue using the hybrid treatment with scCO2/Water/EtOH/Tween 80 multicomponent system, and reorganize the collagen fibrils, which is manifested in the strengthening of the tissue (Δσ=20 ± 5%) and its increased elasticity (Δε = 20 ± 3%). [Display omitted] •A hybrid SDS/scCO2&EtOH&Tween 80 treatment partially decellularized human aorta.•Adding H2O in the scCO2&EtOH&Tween 80 system results to rapid complete cell removal.•The hybrid processing leads to an increase in micro and nanopores in the allograft.•Changes of the tissue structure are manifested in its strength increasing – Δσ~20%.•Increasing of porosity makes the allograft tissue more elastic (decreasing ΔE~40%).