Enhanced vascular biocompatibility of decellularized xeno-/allogeneic matrices in a rodent model

Glutaraldehyde preservation is the gold standard for cardiovascular biological prosthesis. However, secondary calcifications and the absence of tissue growth remain major limitations. Our study assessed in vitro and in vivo the biocompatibility of human (fascia lata, pericardium) and porcine tissues (pericardium, peritoneum) treated with a physicochemical procedure for decellularization and non-conventional pathogens inactivation. Biopsies were performed before and after treatment to assess decellularization (HE/Dapi staining/DNA quantification/MHC I/alpha gal immunostaining) and mechanical integrity. Forty-five rats received an abdominal aortic patch of native cryopreserved tissues (n = 20), treated tissues (n = 20) or glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium (GBP, control, n = 5). Grafts were explanted at 4 weeks and processed for HE/von Kossa staining and immunohistochemistries for lymphocytes (CD3)/macrophages (CD68) histomorphometry. 95% of decellularization was obtained for all tissues except for fascia lata (75%). Mechanical properties were slightly altered. In the in vivo model, a significant increase of CD3 and CD68 infiltrations was found in native and control implants in comparison with decellularized tissues ( p